Keep Your Horse Cool This Summer

This article was originally published by Michigan State University Extension.

Another hot summer is upon us, and horses can be especially susceptible to heat stress (thermal stress). Keep you and your horse safe this summer by following these suggestions.

Water is your friend

Be sure to keep lots of water available to your horse (and yourself) at all times. If your horse seems uninterested in drinking, adding some electrolytes to the water can give it a more appealing taste while providing some extra nutrients to your horse. If you are traveling long distances, don’t forget to stop and water your horse frequently (at least every two to three hours). Be sure to keep the water clean and cool. Check out your waterers to be sure that they are reachable to all of your horses. Keep in mind that accommodations may need to be made for some shorter ponies or foals.

After a heavy workout, it can be a good idea to give your horse a quick “shower.”Spray your horse down, aiming for the large blood vessels to cool your horse the best (the neck, legs and belly). See more tips on spraying your horse down after exercise.

Don’t overdo it

When planning your riding or exercise times, schedule wisely. It is cooler early in the mornings or evenings. Additionally, be sure that there is some type of shade in each turn out area. After you ride and dismount, loosen the girth slightly and walk your horse. This will be a great time for both you and your horse to loosen up those muscles that you just worked!

If you are planning to show this summer, don’t use your horse as a “couch.” That’s right – don’t hang out on your horse all day while you watch the show. Make sure that your horse has time to rest and relax, too. Learn more about when it is likely too hot to exercise your horse.

Other helpful hints

Fly sheets are a great way to keep those pesky bugs away while providing a small heat block for your horse. Remember that lighter colors are better for keeping the heat away. Don’t forget that your horse can get sunburned, too! If your horse has a white or pink muzzle, put a little SPF sun block on as a precaution.

Related eXtension resources

• Equine thermoregulation: How a horse’s body cools itself
• Conditioning your house for the summer: Cooling out a horse
• Responsible horse care for winter and summer

My weekend plans…

Here’s the handsome guy I’ll be spending my weekend with. No worries, the husband knows, he’s surprisingly supportive of this affair.

Hope you all have something fabulous planned this weekend as well!

-Taylor

The Top 3 Do’s & Don’ts to Prepare your Horse for Summer

By Taylor Fabus.  This article was originally published by Michigan State University Extension.

Now that spring is making its mark on Michigan, I’ve noticed a few changes around the barn. Areas of the pastures have turned into spas for horses (places where the horses are compelled to take mud baths), every boarder at my barn has a pair of muck boots next to their saddle racks and of course, I have to visit my spoiled show-pony every morning before work to dress him appropriately for the day’s forecast. Okay, so maybe the last one is just because I’m an over-cautious mother, but still it’s quite obvious that spring has sprung! Michigan weather is at times frustrating and inconvenient, so what can be done to ease the pain a bit? Read on for some do’s and don’ts of dealing with springtime changes.

1. Visit and consult with your vet. If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect time to have your horse’s annual Coggins test done. To learn more about the laws relating to the Coggins test visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdard You w.ill also want to discuss your plans regarding your upcoming deworming and vaccination schedules.

• Don’t ignore your horse’s health needs. Of course you are a responsible horse owner who is focused on providing the best care for your four-legged friend. Just be sure to not let things like vaccinations, dewormers, potential dental problems and other health needs go unnoticed. Additionally, pay close attention to your horse’s body condition score to be sure they are maintaining the ideal weight. For more information on how to assign the correct body condition score to your horse, read this Michigan State University Extension article Body Condition Scoring in horses. Lastly, keep your eye out for common springtime problems such as rain scald and thrush.

2. Grooming tips

• Do brush before you tack-up. Be sure that you are not putting on tack until your horse is clean enough. Obviously, you’ll want to clear the saddle area of any muddy or wet spots, but additionally be sure that your horse’s legs are also dry and clean before applying equipment like splint boots or leg wraps, to prevent uncomfortable rubbing. Also, don’t forget the hooves! My hook pick gets a lot of attention, especially in the springtime. Mud is the perfect medium to help rocks and other debris becomes lodged in the hoofs sole. Clear out any debris before you mount up!
• Don’t brush “wet” mud. Okay, yes all mud is wet, that’s why it’s mud and not dirt. But before you come wielding that curry comb or stiff brush, be sure you are not scrubbing wet mud! Brushing the wet mud out of shaggy hair coats is not only an extremely time consuming task, but will often tug and pull at your horses hair coat and could even cause them to be sore. Allow your horse to dry before you rid him of his muddy layer. Additionally, if your horse is heavily caked with a dirty brown layer, think about waiting for a warm, sunny day and give him a good soapy scrub down! Lastly, if you are more like me and your supply of elbow grease is running low, you could keep a light sheet on your horse and just let the laundry-mat do the work!

3. Start slowly

• Do practice! Does anyone out there know how you get to the State 4-H Horse Show? Practice, practice, practice! Okay, that’s a lame joke that really sounds better in person (trust me!). The message however is still important. We cannot achieve our goals without first setting them. Be sure these goals are achievable and measureable.
• Don’t over-do it! If you’ve opted for the couch more than the saddle over the winter then it is likely that both you and your horse need a bit of toning-up. Do not ignore your own fitness routine as you encounter the summer months, both you and your horse are athletes that need proper conditioning! Remember, if your horse is still sporting his shaggy winter hair coat, he will heat up faster when being exercised as well as take longer to cool down. Take this into consideration as you resume your riding regimen. Read about conditioning your horse for the summer.

Visit the Department of Animal Science Youth Extension programs to see what MI 4-H horse activities are coming up on the calendar.

Use Social Media to Enhance Your Equine Program

Explore how you can safely use social media to enhance your equine programs!

Facebook

With over 900 million active users, the most popular of all the social media platforms is Facebook. Besides catching up with old friends and sharing cute pictures, Facebook can be a very useful marketing and information sharing platform. This free website allows users to set up a profile and connect with friends or others who share common interests. You can set-up an Event Page for an upcoming tack sale, horse show, or clinic. This feature allows you to invite other Facebook users to the event, share pictures and information, as well as quickly notify all attendees of any changes to the event. Additionally, Facebook allows users to establish pages and groups. These are another way to publicize an activity or spread the news about the wonderful things you’re doing in your equine program. Highlight members of your club or group and their accomplishments and encourage interaction with all of those involved in the page or group.

Twitter

Twitter is gaining in popularity across the nation. With over 140 million users Twitter offers the opportunity to quickly share small pieces of information. “Tweets” can be a maximum of 140 characters which prevents long-winded users from the dreaded over sharing! Developing a Twitter account may be just the way to send out quick reminders and updates about upcoming club meetings or activities.

YouTube

YouTube is a social media website centered on videos. Users can easily upload or view videos at no charge. If used appropriately YouTube can be a fantastic resource for useful, educational and entertaining videos! The website is organized by channels allowing you to search for topics of interest. There are a plethora of instructional videos on anything from preparing your 4-H project animal for show to developing oral reasons for livestock judging, to quilt making to robotics assembly and even Robert’s Rules of Order for meetings. Visit the YouTube channel for Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: http://www.youtube.com/user/MSUANR. Visit this YouTube Channel for many useful equine-related videos: www.youtube.com/exhorses.

Pinterest

A website that is increasing in popularity is http://www.pinterest.com. Pinterest’s mission is to connect people through the things they find interesting via inspiration and idea sharing. Pinterest is a photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections (Pinboards) such as recipes, events, interests, hobbies, and more. Users can browse other Pinboards for inspiration, ‘re-pin’ images to their own Pinboards or ‘like’ photos. Pinterest can make difficult tasks much easier by providing creative ideas for activities like stall decorating, craft projects, sewing, and pot lucks. Even better yet, each pin/photo is linked with instructions on how to create what you see in the picture (i.e. a recipe, craft, etc.) or where to purchase the product.

As with anything on the internet it is crucial to be safe and responsible with the information that you share. If used appropriately, social media can be a very positive resource. For more information on internet safety visit this great resource: http://www.netsmartz.org/internetsafety

Photo credit to My Horse University

Top 3 tips to travel safely with your horses

By Taylor Fabus. This article was originally published by Michigan State University Extension.

With the arrival of spring, many of us will be loading our horses into trailers and heading to practices, shows, trail rides and more. Traveling, even to the most seasoned show horse, can be a stressful event – just as it is for us. As responsible animal caretakers, we can make many decisions that ease and eliminate stress on our animals during the transportation process. Below are just a few tips to keep in mind as you head to your next event:

1. Keep safety first
   Each time you hook up your truck and trailer to head to a show, go through a safety checklist. Are truck and trailer lights working? Did you secure the hitch properly? Are all tire pressures appropriate? Make sure that you have the proper-sized truck to haul your trailer. Do not overload your trailer’s weight capacity. While driving, you must allow extra distance for stopping. Make speed changes and turns more gradually than you would when driving without a loaded trailer. Ignoring these basic guidelines can seriously impact you and your horse’s safety.
2. Keep it cool
   Heat can build up quickly in a horse trailer. If the weather is warm, be sure to open vents and windows to encourage airflow to the horses. Avoid unloading horses before you reach your destination since rest areas and fuel stations are not safe areas to unload. If traveling long distances, stop at least every two to three hours to offer water and check horses.
3. Keep it quick
   No, this doesn’t mean you can ignore speed limits signs and other traffic laws. It just means to make your best attempt at limiting the amount of time your horse stays in the trailer. Load all tack, equipment and feed first. Animals should be on the trailer for the minimal amount of time possible to avoid injury and stress, especially due to heat.

Keep learning more
There are many online resources regarding ensuring horse safety.

• The Horse publishes articles relating to horse safety and care.
• Horses – eXtension also offers many resources for horse health and safety.

FREE TIP: Facebook freebies

It’s no secret that people LOVE winning.  People also LOVE free things.

Facebook contests can be a great way to generate some excitement with your current facebook fan base as well as potentially bring new users to your page.

There are several types of facebook contests that you can explore:
-Caption contests (users comment on a photo with their favorite caption)
-Profile picture contests (users submit their photos to be used as the page’s profile picture)
-Giveaways (like my example above).  People want to win even the smallest of prizes.  Sure, the big ones are going to generate more interest, but you might be surprised how much your ‘fans’ will do for a hat, t-shirt, etc.

You may have noticed that many facebook contests revolve around the idea of ‘sharing’.  Shares are a very good thing for a page that you’re trying to grow.  It gets your page in the newsfeed of thousands of facebook users in an instant.  With each ‘share’ that I see I get a warm & fuzzy feeling in my social media tummy.

The graphic or image matters.  Remember, this image may very well be the first impression someone has about your page or business.  Above, you can see a graphic that I created.  I recommend including your logo in the image (to help build brand identity) and include a short instruction on how to enter the contest in the same image.   These two things are important because you want everyone who views this image on their newsfeed knows about YOUR page and YOUR contest.

By the way, this image is from a current contest (through April 26) for one of the facebook pages that I manage, so feel free to enter! Visit: Horses – eXtension on facebook to enter to win this great resource from My Horse University valued at $80!

Horse Showing on a Budget, Part 2 of 2

By Taylor Fabus. This article was originally published by Michigan State University Extension.

Let’s face it; times are tough and budgets everywhere are shrinking. Horse showing certainly isn’t immune to the budget crunch, so if you are looking for ways to save money in this expensive sport, read on for some useful advice from Michigan State University Extension.

Work together.

Besides having more fun, sharing the horse show experience with friends can help you cut down your costs. First, think about hauling together. You can certainly save money on fuel by driving fewer vehicles. Also, plan ahead when reserving stalls. Stalling together in groups can make free time more enjoyable and splitting tack stalls with friends can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a show season. Another way to work together is through planning group lessons. Work with your friends or fellow 4-H club members to have instructors work with a group, which is often less expensive than an individual lesson.

Dress to impress.

Consignment shops and tack swaps are a great place to shop for show clothing. You can often find gently used, still in-style show clothes for dramatic discounts. Additionally, keep these venues in mind when you want to sell your used show apparel. Use those earnings to build up your own show fund.

Lastly, make friends with your local dry cleaner. Although at-home ironing may do the trick, a professional press and starch job can be just the finishing touch on those button-up shirts, show pants, breeches, etc.

Plan ahead.

Buy in bulk things like Show Sheen, fly spray, etc. Buying in bulk can really help you stay within the confines of a strict budget. Stock up only on those things that you know you’ll use often.

Bring your own bedding. Buying bedding at your local feed store or grain elevator is often much cheaper than purchasing it at the show. Additionally, you can be more comfortable with using consistent bedding at each location.

Think about going on an “all cash diet;” select your classes ahead of time and only bring enough cash for those (plus other planned fees/expenses). This can prevent you from making those expensive impulse decisions to go in just “one more class.”

Pot luck time.

Who doesn’t love a good pot luck? Although it may be tempting, it makes good financial sense to stay away from those pricey concession stands. So talk to your friends and divvy up the meal responsibilities. Have someone bring lunch on Saturday and you can bring dinner on Saturday. Since the horse show schedules can be so unpredictable, break out the crock-pot and have something simmering away throughout the day. Slow cookers work great for having food ready when you have the time, perfect for the horse show!

Get involved.

Another great idea that a friend shared with me was to become more involved! By becoming a member of the show or breed association you can often take advantage of discounts on show fees. Also, ask the show manager if they’d offer discounts for volunteering at the show (especially if you aren’t showing that day and have some free time!). They often need the help and you need the discounts, win-win!

Horse Showing on a Budget, Part 1 of 2

By Taylor Fabus.  This article was originally published by Michigan State University Extension.

Let’s face it; times are tough and budgets everywhere are shrinking. Horse showing certainly isn’t immune to the budget crunch, so if you are looking for ways to save money in this expensive sport, Michigan State University Extension‘s Taylor Fabus will offer some useful advice throughout this two-part series.

Utilize your talents

That’s right; you may have some talents in your arsenal that can ease the pain on your pocketbook. If you don’t already have some of these skills, ask someone who does. You might be surprised to how willing people are to share their knowledge with you. For example, a great way to cut costs at shows is to do more for yourself rather than paying for someone else’s skills. Braiding and banding are highly valuable skills to have. Not only can you save yourself money by braiding or banding your own horse (which can cost anywhere from $15 to $60 or more per horse), you can also make money by providing this service to others. I have several friends that cover part or all of their horse show costs by braiding or banding at each horse show. Here’s a video playlist from Horses – eXtension that can help you start learning.

One pricey part of showing horses can be show clothing. Stop by local thrift or department stores; you can often find great fitting blazers that will work great in the show ring. Also think about sewing your own clothes. Sewing can be an intimidating chore but it doesn’t need to be. There is likely a 4-H club in your county that focuses on sewing that you could take part in. Many local fabric stores also offer free educational classes.

I’m sure many parents encourage their teen to have an after school job. Why not have your after school job at a local tack shop? Besides loving where you work and learning about all sorts of new horse products, you’ll likely qualify for an employee discount; the best of both worlds!

Make wise investments

There are times to cutback and there are times to splurge. Never cut corners when safety is concerned. Do not cut costs if it may negatively affect the wellbeing of you or your horse. Buy the best helmet you can afford and be sure that it is ASTM/SEI certified. The key is to make wise choices when selecting investment pieces (those pieces that you’ll likely keep for a long time), such as saddles. When purchasing a saddle, fit (both for you and your horse) and quality should be paramount. Here’s a great article on Saddle Fit for Horse and Rider from Horses – eXtension. Additionally, keeping up on the maintenance of all tack can help extend its useful life and therefore increase its resale value. Keep tack well-oiled and stored in a cool, dry place. Finally, when selecting these investment pieces, try not to get caught up in trends and stick with classic colors. For example, that new rail jacket is fantastic on the hanger, but will the color look good with your horse or will you grow out of it by next year (as most teenagers will)? If your growing has slowed down, well-fitting chaps can last you for years. The same can be said for an excellent pair of field boots/hunt seat boots.

Choose your shows wisely. By reading the fine print on show bills you can select shows that don’t charge lots of extra fees and late entry penalties. Also, seek out the shows that have payback classes, which can be a great way to offset your costs. Lastly, look for those shows that are in your area. You can save money on fuel by staying close to home.

Lastly, invest in your education. Educating yourself can prevent you from making expensive mistakes. Stay away from impulse purchases. Although you may LOVE that yearling that isn’t yet halter-broke, do you have the knowledge, time and facilities to manage that young horse? Think about selecting a horse that best matches your experience level; if you’re a novice it’s a good idea to work with a more seasoned horse (leave the tough training to the professionals until you feel ready). Save your pennies and spend them wisely on lessons with a more experienced rider; as I’ve mentioned already, you can learn so much from those around you! Get your 4-H club involved in one of the many ‘horseless’ horse activities such as horse bowl, hippology or horse judging. You’d be surprised how useful that new knowledge can be both outside and inside the arena. Visit our website to learn more about these “horseless” horse activities.

Horse Show Tips from the Judge’s Perspective

Marc DeLisle, MI 4-H Horse Judge

By Taylor Fabus. This article was originally published by Michigan State University Extension.

Have you ever wondered what the judge was thinking under their cowboy hat? Well, I recently sat down with Michigan 4-H horse judge, Marc DeLisle, to discuss what things looks like from the judge’s perspective. It was a great chance to learn some do’s and don’ts for the show ring! Here’s what Marc had to share:

Do’s

1. Be clean and neat. You don’t have to have the super expensive outfit, just be clean and neat.

2. Be prepared. Good results don’t come from working with your horse once a month. Develop the relationship between you and your horse to its fullest. Your horse has to trust you before they can perform at your expected level.

3. Watch classes that are before yours and look for signs of what the judge is looking for; (straight lines, pivots, turns, etc.). You can often learn something from exhibitors who are successful. Watch the YouTube playlist on Horsemanship Drills from Horses – eXtension.

4. Take time to break patterns up and look for key points to concentrate on. Long straight lines might mean straightness is important. Lots of turns and/or pivots might mean sticking your pivots is something that a judge is specifically looking for. Again, watch the classes before yours and make mental notes of what the winners did.

5. Measure your own performance prior to hearing the judge’s placement. A good judge will see good rides and will hopefully reward you for it, but remember judges are human too, and despite their best efforts, they may miss things. Be sure to evaluate your own performance and think of the judge to be an additional opinion.

Do not’s

These are things that will not disqualify you, but things that need your attention.

1. Don’t use your hat as a pillow because you slept on the way to the horse show. A poorly shaped hat makes for a rough first impression.

2. Dirty horses – Scrub your horse! I understand that there are lot of “come as you are” shows out there. But if your horse decided to lie in its “dirty spot” and has a huge yellow spot on his barrel, this doesn’t help your show ring impression.

3. If you are that person that is constantly playing with the reins or jerking on your horse’s mouth, stop! One correction hurts, but the next one gives you a one way ticket to Gatesville (meaning: You’re not placing under this judge). Train at home, not in the ring.

4. Do not be late! It’s always frustrating to wait for someone that just wasn’t ready or was day dreaming. “I will never forget listening to the gate person call a number three times and looking up and seeing her back to me just outside the ring. She was in a deep conversation with her friend that had already gone. I finally walked across the ring and leaned on the fence to ask her if she would like to play in our horse show today,” said DeLisle. “When she realized I walked halfway across the ring to ask her. She was embarrassed and totally blew her pattern. A lot of judges would just disqualify her and shut the gate.”

Looking for the Michigan 4-H horse judge’s list? Visit www.ans.msu.edu/ans/youth_extension_programs.

Have any questions you’d like answered by a Michigan 4-H horse judge? Email them to Taylor at tenlenta@msu.edu
with the subject line: Newsletter judge question.

Marc DeLisle is a respected member of the Michigan 4-H horse judges list and Michigan 4-H horse judge’s advisory committee. Marc volunteers much of his time to Michigan 4-H and supports the numerous educational events throughout the year such as; 4-H Equine Educational Expo, 4-H Benefit Clinic, 4-H Hairy Horse Show, and much more!

Take a look at some of my work

I am the Chair of the Social Media Committee for www.eXtension.org/horses. We’ve experienced tremendous success with our Facebook Fan Page.  I welcome you to take a look to see what we’re doing.  I’ll share more details in the future about what I’ve learned through trial and error.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to help YOU have social media success as well!

Horses – eXtension’s Facebook Fan Page

I also manage several other pages that I welcome you to visit.  It’s important to remember that each page has it own personality and goals so sucess for each page is defined differently!

MSU Horse Judging

MI 4-H Horse & Pony Project Leaders

The Pampered Chef with Taylor Fabus