|
Featured Articles:
- Presidents Message
- Lana Delaney DVM on Body Condition Scoring
- Choosing Quality Hay
- Tara Gamble- Improving Communication..Part - 3
|
|
|
SAVE 10% !!!!Pre-Order Your 2011 Savvy Day Planners Today
Click on the Cover
to Order!
|
|
|
Choosing Good Quality Hay
The Color of Good Hay
Dark Green- This is he color of well- grown alfalfa.
Light-to-Medium Green- The color of well stored grass hay, which has a good amount of the nutrients needed.
Bright Lime Green- This color usually means the hay has been treated with a perservitive, which will not harm a horse.
Texture- Stems should be short and thinner, they should also be easy to bend and NOT be stiff or brittle.
Stems and Leaves- Hay with alot of leaves are more nutritous than hay with moslty stems.
Weight- The 'small square' hay bale should be light and easy to lift, (for your safety) If a 30 lb bale feels more like 50lbs check it thoroughly for mold and make sure it smells good, there may also be dirt picked up in the bale that adds extra weight.
When purchasing hay from anyone , always inspect a few bales. Check for mold, moisture, dirt, dust, insects, color, weeds and texture.
On a large round bale - dig as far into the inner core to grab out a handfull of hay, pull it out and inspect it for the above points.
Remember: A horse that is working on a daily basis, an open mare, a yearling and a retired pasture fixture all have VERY Different feed requirements - find out which one you should be using!
** Don't kill your horse with kindness - an overfed horse is in just as poor health as an overweight person! With many health risks and ailments that will cost you more money to care for!**
|
|
Click Cover to Order!
Protect Your Savvy Planner With These 100% Hand-Made Custom Leather Wraps
7 Designs To Choose From!!
|
|
Horse Dewormer:
All horses have internal parasites. If left unchecked and untreated parasites can rob a horse of nutrients, energy and blood.A parasite ridden horse can suffer permanent damage to blood vessels and intestines that can cause digestive problems.
A horse that is not dewormed regularly often has a dull coat, pot belly, persistent winter coat and more frequent colic.
There are different opinions when it comes to de-worming your horses. Some people say to de-worm on a consistent rotation every 3-4 months with the appropriate product for the time of year. Others say to worm monthly to be sure. Well, my advice is that if you get a fecal sample from your horse, take it to your Vet for a fecal exam, and they will tell you what your horse does or doesnt need. That is the best way to be 100% sure you arent needlessly de-worming or that you may need to be on a more rigid schedule!
Also keep in mind late summer, early fall is bot season, if you see bots ( fly eggs small yellow stickems ) on your horse remove them with your fingernail, a bot block, or a bot knife. You can also select a dewormer that kills bots.
Check with your veterinarian for the best choice of dewormer for your horse.
KEEP YOUR HORSE HEALTHY AND HAPPY!!!!!!
|
|
Suggestion Box
Do you have an idea for us? A way we can connect with more people? Some new social media we should be involved with? Please let us know - we think our topics are very relevant and beneficial for other horse owners too!
If you think other people should know - then we can make it happen! Send your Savvy System Ideas into ideas@savvysystems.ca
|
|
Forward to at least 10 Horse Owning Friends - then forward that email to us and
we will send you a sale coupon for 15% off of any of our products!
|
|
FEATURE PRODUCT
Keep track of all your equine health information on these convient 11" x 17" *Dry Erase* Stable Mounts.
Four different charts included.
Weather and moisture resistent
Perfect for the barn or office.
|
|
|
|
September 2010 Professionals Report.....
|
|
Well, it's September and 2 of my 4 kids have gone back to school! It's been busy as Im sure you all understand but a good time to get back to a regular routine again in the house and the barn. Just because we can get back to a routine still doesnt mean we actually have more time, it means we need to plan out our time to get the things done we want to and need to!
Speaking about planning time, just a little tid bit from me. I also care for 7 horses, (my Boy Dodge in the picture above here) 2 Dogs and 2 Cats - and I love all my animals.
People sometimes ask what I 'DO' with my horses. Im sure you all have heard that line! And lately its become very clear to me what I really 'Do' with them.
I ENJOY THEM!! I dont ride a whole bunch right now, but I have them, they are my comfort, my relaxation and my joy.
I have raised all but 2 of them and I take great pride in the fact that they are all in excellent health and so friendly they can be pests! Just because I dont 'DO' much with them right now, doesnt change how I feel about each and every one of them, because I have them, and I will always will, even if it is just to look at them out the front window in the morning.
Starting here in the next couple of days, I will make more time to ride, or at least start working them and then, possibly in a few years, show again if I want to. But untill then - Im happy just to have them, and see them everyday. Im very lucky to have them - and they are lucky to have me!
Thought Id do something crazy and put in a picture of me that my 5 year old took this weekend fooling around with my camera! This is my sons new pony 'Texas Walker',.. and Me! Yes he is a pony, and yes I am that short!!
Please feel free to hold me to my commitment of working them or even riding - email or post something for me - or let me how you juggle your crazy days!
I hope you all have had a chance to check us out on Face Book and become a fan. I would love for you to post some pictures of your equine on our page or if you have any tips that you can offer that would be great too!!
Sincere thank you to everyone,
Shelley Lupul,
President
|
|
Lana Delaney, DVM
Delaneyvetservices.ca
52218 RR 223, Sherwood Park, AB T8C 1B1,
Phone: 780-922-3647 Fax: 780-922-4736
|
Many physiological functions in horses are influenced by body condition including horse’s maintenance, reproductive and exercising requirements. A system called Body Condition Scoring can be used to rate ideal body condition. This condition scoring system is based on visual appraisal and palpable fat cover on six areas of your horse’s body.
A. Along the neck
B. Along the withers
C. Crease down back
D. Trailhead
E. Ribs
F. Behind the shoulder
The ideal body condition
score is between 5 and 6-1/2
1. Poor: Animal extremely emaciated; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, hip joints, lower pelvic bones projecting prominently; bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck easily noticeable; no fatty tissue can be felt.
2. Very Thin: Animal emaciated; slight fat covering over base of spinous processes; transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, hip joints and lower pelvic bones prominent; withers, shoulders and neck structure faintly discernible.
3. Thin: Fat build up about halfway on spinous processes; transverse processes cannot be felt; slight fat cover over ribs; spinous processes and ribs easily discernible; tailhead prominent, but indidual vertebrae cannot be identified visually; hip joints appear rounded but easily discernible; lower pelvic bones not distinguishable; withers, shoulders and neck accentuated.
4. Moderately Thin: Slight ridge along back; faint outline of ribs discernible; tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it; hip joints not discernible; withers, shoulders, and neck not obviously thin.
5. Moderate: Back is flat (no crease or ridge); ribs not visually distinguishable but easily felt; fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy; withers appear rounded over spinous processes; shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.
6. Moderately Fleshy: May have slight crease down back; fat over ribs spongy; fat around tailhead soft; fat beginning to be deposited along the side of withers, behind shoulders, and along sides on neck.
7. Fleshy: Crease down back; individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat; fat around tailhead soft; fat deposited along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck.
8. Fat: Crease down back; difficult to feel ribs; fat around tailhead very soft; area along withers filled with fat; area behind shoulder filled with fat; noticeable thickening of neck; fat deposited along inners thighs.
9. Extremely Fat: Obvious crease down back, patchy fat appearing over ribs; bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck; fat along inner thighs may rub together; flank filled with fat.
If you have and concerns regarding the body score or health of your equine companion please contact Delaney Veterinary Services at 780-922-3647, and we can work together to create a herd health program that suits you and your horses needs.
We would also like to welcome a few new staff members to our team:
Myrna Bittner and Darlene Hrchirchuk.
Welcome Ladies!!
|
|
|
|
Part 3 - Horse Rider and Instructor
|
|
Professional Background:
CHA President, CHA Master Clinic Instructor, AQHA Professional Horsewoman. Alberta born and raised, internationally recognized horsewoman Tara Gamble offers horsemanship instruction for riders of all ages and skill levels. Her background is varied in both western and english riding and she is fortunate to combine her passion of both horses and people through teaching.
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HORSE, RIDER AND INSTRUCTOR
Part 3-The Instructor:
The role of the instructor is very important. The instructor essentially rides the horse through the student, and facilitates the partnership between the rider and horse. Timing and feel are very important in teaching since you must be ahead of not only the rider, but the horse too. The challenge comes from working with both people and horses. I always say teaching is more of an art than a science. A good instructor displays kindness and empathy, and can read their audience of both students and horses.
Instructors also play a huge role in training and management, by offering consistency in fitness and training. They also manage the horse through the rider, for example, finishing the lesson on a positive note, which helps improve both the rider’s and horse’s confidence. Proper management is a key to the longevity of horses, and a happy horse is a healthy horse.
Here are some tips that may be helpful in improving communication with the horses and riders in your lessons:
· Uncover the goals and needs of your students. Ask them why they are riding, and what they want achieve. Some people want to enjoy a lesson with their family, some want to get over fear, some want basic skills and some want to compete. Knowing the direction your student wants to go will help set up your success. You will have to reassess periodically since things may change over time.
· Set your boundaries to your students as to what is acceptable behavior around horses and in the arena. Attitude is paramount! Students can learn from every instructor and every horse if they keep an open mind. Lead by example, and be a positive and encouraging mentor.
· The set up of the instructor in the arena is one of the most important parts in the interaction of your class. Position yourself so you can see your students and they can hear you well. This may mean you have to walk around, which allows you to become part of the lesson and you can use this opportunity to involve yourself and become animated in your teaching. Enthusiasm on your part will be catchy to your students! Keep scanning the whole class.
· Develop your educated eye. This means looking for situations that have the potential to cause trouble, and being aware of what is happening both inside and outside the arena, as well as watching your student’s and horse’s body language. Your educated eye improves with experience, and you can gain this through teaching itself, along with watching and observing other instructor’s lessons from the side lines.
· Consider the horse and rider as a team; each affects the other. There is a mental and physical connection between the horse and rider, and suitability should be seriously considered. For safety, each horse and rider should be matched appropriately to their level and temperament. As an instructor, it is essential to watch both the horses and riders you are teaching for signals. For example, stiffness in a rider will translate through to the horse, and the horse will be affected likewise. Horses will provide non-verbal feedback through their ears, eyes, posture, and gait. A good instructor can interpret these signals and will facilitate safe and effective communication with the horse through the student.
· Correct problems as they arise. Give feedback in a concise, constructive and positive way so that the rider wants to “do it better next time.” Tact goes a long way. Explain why the rider would want to perform the said task the proper way. Most people respond much better when they know why they are doing something, and will have the knowledge to back up the skills they are being taught. Remember to be open minded as there are many ways to reach the end goal, and sometimes the rider will even teach you another way, and that is really neat!
· Take the time to get to know the horses you are working with so you can be aware of tendencies and behavior patterns of the horse, personality traits, and recognize the amount of heart a horse has, and appreciate it.
· Have respect and empathy for the student and horse. Being sensitive to their needs will demonstrate your compassion. Read the signs they are giving you with their body language, know when to push on or when to back off. This again is much easier if you have a chance to get to know your horses and riders. Not all people will tell you they have had enough (especially children), and they could be hurting or not comfortable. Horses cannot speak to us, so observe if the horse has shut down or is hurting. Simple subtleties can make for happy and healthy riders and horses.
· Open communication lines. I always encourage people to ask questions if they aren’t sure of what is expected or are unsure. Sometimes people are intimidated to do so, but if you take an open approach, so much more can be gleamed from the lesson
· Be flexible in your teaching. You may not get through all of your lesson as planned, sometimes it just does not progress as you wanted it to. Other times, you finish all of your planned material in record time. Be prepared for either situation to happen, and come with additional material just in case. An experienced instructor has the ability to roll with the lesson.
Possible communication blocks and some solutions to improve them:
Ø Teaching the student who is not receptive to feedback. There may be a variety of reasons as to why they have difficulty receiving constructive feedback (embarrassment, fatigue, arrogance, disinterest, the weather - too hot, too cold, too wet, etc.). To overcome this, see if there is a physical factor aggravating the situation that is making them uncomfortable (such as extreme temperatures, being rained or snowed upon, etc.), which you can be empathetic to. If you are able to help make them more physically comfortable, then they may be more receptive to feedback. If there is no visible physical discomfort, then clarify their goals, and then you may be able to formulate a program to better suit their needs. It may be as simple as the fact they want to prepare for a week long trail ride in the mountains, and do not understand that the foundation of horsemanship skills you can offer to them in the arena will be necessary for their ride out and about. Once you can show and tell them why these skills are necessary, then you have helped to bridge the gap to this obstacle.
Ø Some students exhibit poor listening skills, are easily distracted, or along the same line, is what I call “bringing luggage” into the lesson. This occurs when students bring other issues from outside of the lesson into the ride. If they are not fully focused on riding, they are not safe. Riding can be a stress relief and a very enjoyable experience for this type of student, but they need to be reminded to give their undivided attention to the horse and instructor for safety reasons. Try to draw their attention back to the lesson with enthusiasm on your behalf - this can check the luggage right out of the lesson! This provides the instructor with the opportunity to be creative and fun! You can engage the rider by giving them a challenge. Games (controlled team relays, patterns, simple obstacle/trail courses, etc.), which can involve competition between riders or simply focus on self-improvement, are one such way. Another is to ask the student(s) to observe demonstration riders and provide feedback during or after the demonstration (counting the beats of a lead out loud, saying forward/back as a rider posts, looking for symmetry of circles on a figure eight, etc.). You may even choose to allow the student some creative freedom, and give them the opportunity to design their own challenge (build their own order to an existing jump course, create their own riding pattern, provide input as to their preference for order of maneuvers in a drill pattern, etc.). An instructor can help the student to feel a sense of accomplishment by being encouraging, enthusiastic and professional. Remember, it is your job to provide a safe, educational and fun lesson to the students, not to counsel them.
Ø Watch for student/horse/instructor suitability. The combination of horse, rider and instructor form a team. Make sure that horse and rider matches are safe. No one should be over horsed, this is very dangerous. Judge the skill level of the class, and gear it towards the lowest level rider. Once safe matches are found, the cohesiveness of the “team” hinges on the instruction given. The sky is the limit, and enjoy!
When communication is open and effective, goals can be attained with greater ease, and results can be very rewarding. By striving for effective communication and being aware of the process, potential success will be maximized! This can aid in eliminating communication “blocks” and can strengthen relationships between the horse, instructor and rider. Imagine yourself as the rider described at the beginning of the article – the almost effortless feeling of sending and receiving information in sync with each other so that you begin to think as one… part of a successful, unified team! Implement effective communication, and people will be asking what your secret is!
Happy riding!
Tara
|
|
|
|
Rescue Funds
Please forward this email to anyone you know who is involved in equine rescue or adoption services. We would like to help these groups raise money to support the wonderful work they do to rescue horses and rehabilitate them!
We have a few products that we offer to such groups to use in their fundraising efforts. Please contact us at fundraising@savvysystems.ca or Call direct to 780-922-5660
We have tools for qualified groups that will make the funds you need a lot easier to make!! And besides - its Horse Stuff!!
Dry Erase Wipe Off BARN BOARDS!!!!
|
|
|
Links And Places to Check Out!
Check out these sites for more great Horse Health Info, Sales and Activities
Our Monthly Professionals Report features articles and information on Horse Health, training, Equine arts, entertainment and more. Our goal is to provide you with information you are looking for so, if there is something you would like to know, or to share with other horse owners - or ask our professionals, send in your information and questions to wanttoknow@savvysystems.ca
A sincere thanks for your interest in your horses health and well being!
|
|
|
