Did You Know?

This will be a monthly editorial about things you might not know about your horses care and feeding.

The next shows will be.....

July 19th For the Game Show 

September 20th Return to our regular shows 

October 25th For our Halloween (Costume) Show 

Clinics dates with  (The gentle teacher) Yogi Manning, to be announced at a later date

Well, here we go again .. into another exciting year at Claddagh Farm.

This year the shows will be a little different. If you read the  claddaghfarm@pbtcomm.net we are always glad to hear for you.

Can't wait to to you at the shows

Chuck & Shelly

The Horse Buyer's Glossary

~ or ~

Newspaper definitions for the horse buyer to beware of.

 Spirited: psychotic

Intelligent: Can open the stall and sometimes the feed room door.

Sensitive: If you sneeze, you're toast.

Dependable: You can depend upon him to eat all his feed.

Determined: that you ain't going to ride him.

Friendly: spoiled rotten and refuses to be caught unless bribed by repeated treats.

Likes People: Ate owners finger.

Well mannered: Hasn't stepped on, run over, bitten, or kicked anyone for a week.

Professionally trained: Hasn't stepped on, run over, or kicked anyone for a month.

Suitable for Professional: Takes two men and a boy to saddle him.

Athletic: can really buck.

Snaffle mouth: run away with any bit.

Endurance prospect: runaway and slow!

Field Hunter: Run away and can't jump!

Conformation Hunter: fat and can't jump!

Dressage Prospect: Can't jump.

Jumper Prospect: bad mover.

Light mouth: rears.

And last but not least................

No Guarantee: the one remaining sound leg could go at any moment.

Sweating is the Difference

from;

Fast Facts Equus reference guide

A horse's sweat contains about 145 grams of sodium and 170 grams of chloride per liter. In contrast to humans sweat, containing only 35  grams of each element. If we lost the the same proportions of salt in our sweat as horses do, the loss would quickly lead us to suffer lightheadedness, disorientation and then unconsciousness. That's why it's extremely important to give your horse supplemental salt, especially in the heat of the summer. Some horses may not be able to take a salt block because of a condition they have but you or your vet should know you horse. Call you vet and ask if you are not sure. 

The Saltiness of equine sweat is why a very sweaty horse MAY NOT BE THIRSTY. Elevated salt levels are a thirst trigger, sending the body the message to consume enough water to keep the two elements balanced. When large amounts of salt are lost through sweat, the internal "salt meter" won't indicate that water is needed, even though the horse is seriously dehydrated. Oral or intravenous electrolytes (given by your vet) can help bring the salt levels back up, which would then compel your horse to drink the critical fluids they need.  

Please watch your horse in weather like we are having this month (July).  Keep them cool, keep plenty of fresh water on hand for them to drink. If they are in the stall, you may want to give them a fan, to help keep them cool also. Remember, if you horse is acting strange by laying down, looking at their sides, not drinking, not eating properly or anything that leads you to believe the horse is not well, call the vet, don't assume it will go away. At the very least, you should call the vet and tell them what is going on and let them make the decision as to weather they need to come out or not.

Keep yourself and them healthy in the summer heat,

Chuck 

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If you like the information given in "Did You Know" write and tell us. If you would like to respond to some of the information given, or have some of your own info that will help us to care for our horses better, please don't hesitate to write to me so I can share it with our friends.

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Hors(e) d'oeuvres

Did you ever think you'd like to make something nice as a treat for your horse... Well here is a great treat for them.

Stuffed Molasses Apples

April, 2005

Washing your horse

You’ll help to preserve your horse’s hide by never washing them with detergents formulated for use on inanimate objects, such as dishes or clothing. Their ingredients are usually harsher than those used in shampoos.

Human Shampoos are generally safe to use on horses when diluted an ounce or two per bucket of water. Mild, low-sudsing baby shampoos are particularly appropriate for crossover use. Steer clear of bar soaps, which leave a dulling and possibly allergenic film on the coat.

Combination products containing both cleansers and conditioners can benefit a horse’s hair coat, since the much needed sebum gets washed away with the dirt. Although the natural is replenished in a couple of days following a shampooing, the hair is left unprotected and unmanageable in the interval.

Using a conditioner after washing has two effects: The oils and other ingredients in the formulations increase the coat’s shine and preserve the elasticity of the mane and tail hairs, protecting them so they can grow longer and remain more luxuriant. Conditioners operate on three mechanisms: 

One class re-oils the skin and hair, replacing the oils removed by ingredients such as soap and alcohol. Lanolin is a              commonly used re-oiler. Aloe Vera and other plant and animal oils also are used extensively.

The second type of conditioner coats the hair with a protective, shinny layer by bonding with the exterior of the hair shaft, and the third type of conditioner actually strengthens hair at the molecular level. These are commonly referred to as "antistatic" agents.

April/Did You Know/Chuck

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