Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day from the SFM and the SFF.  

(Blessed are the Broodmares)

Obligations to Horses

To those that have read my blog before, I don't usually venture into my opinions.  I am a scientist.  I enjoy facts and reasons.

However, I am opinionated and would love to hear input from others as well.

What obligation do programs, camps, groups, therapy programs, and lesson barns have to their horses?

I can be a bit of a softie.  I do occasionally look at the lists on Facebook for the horses in the sales barns.  I try and network horses in need of homes and am occasionally successful.

But I have heard a variety of opinions on the matter.  

1. Programs exist to make money.  If an asset (horse) no longer makes money, it needs to be discarded and a new asset acquired.

2.  Programs need to do all they can to keep horses in the life of equine luxury.  If not, then they should not have an equine program.

3.  These are working equines.  Efforts should be to keep in them in good condition, but above and beyond treatment shouldn't be expected like chiropractic work, specialized diagnostics, and so forth.

I like programs.  I grew up not owning a horse and there was no way I would have.  I obviously did get attached to the equines I was involved with and doted upon them.  

Here is my opinion:

Horses are working horses.  They should be made comfortable enough to do their jobs with proper shoes if necessary, and good tack.  Proper veterinary care including dental work.  When they can no longer do their jobs, sincere effort should be to place them in an appropriate home.  With the advent of digital media, it is often easier and cheaper than ever to place and rehome older lesson horses.  Keep a directory of individuals wanting to adopt horses and utilize this.

Use avenues to reduce expenses in the program (especially non profits) with half leases, virtual adoptions, and so forth.   This would be an avenue to cultivate relationships with potential adopters for when the horses need to leave a program.

Stop trying to wring every last cent out of horses in a program.  Don't jump a horse until he is so stiff, he can hardly move and then expect to sell him for a thousand dollars.  It would be better to find the right home for the horse than to hold out waiting for that supposed price tag.

Investment in basic fitting tack and veterinary care can reduce turnover of horses in a program and the subsequent problems.  People like having the same horses.  They like seeing Fluffy and Dobbin happy.  

Don't be naive and think that an old washed up horse is going to magically find a home through a broker or auction.  Use available resources to find he or she a home.

If a horse is unsuitable in the first place, then don't prolong the issue.  If it isn't healthy, then perhaps do the brave thing and do what presumably the previous owners couldn't: euthanize it or find it a secure retirement home.  If temperment doesn't pass, then find a situation where it may work.  Networking is pretty easy in this time and doesn't cost much besides time.

So now that I've been on your soap box, what do you think?  Where is your position on lesson horses, camp horses, trail ride horses, therapy horses, and any other working equine that earns his keep?

Product Review: EquinElite Leave In Conditioner

The Product: EquinElite Leave In Conditoner

The Price: $14.99 for 32 ounces

The Verdict: YES :)

As most people know, I have Arabian horses and if it's one thing that Arabian people like is good grooming products.  I have tried quite a few.  Healthy Hair Care, Eqyss, and the list goes on.  

I actually originally won a free sample of the leave in conditioner at an equine expo.  I liked it well enough, so I went ahead and purchased the 32 ounce bottle of the conditioner.  Last week, I went ahead and sprayed my horses down (especially the dry manes & tails) and I noticed tonight in my extended grooming routine that they are still soft and not snarly.

Seriously.

My horses live outside.  They are prone to witches knots and everything else, but this stuff has been pretty incredible. 

The only downside for me is that it can be a little more slippery to bag a tail that has been freshly coated.  I will just have to be more effective in my efforts next time.

So if you are looking for a high quality product, I would recommend looking at the EquineElite line of grooming sprays. 

Happy Birthday Filly

Guess who is three today?

Yearling

Three

Love little sassypants.  Such a goofball. 

Blog Hop: Right Here Right Now

Another hop from Viva Carlos

What are you currently working on in your rides or lessons?

I have many things I need to currently work on. 

They include (but not exclusively)

• not looking down
• not losing my inside rein
• keeping my horse respecting my inside leg
• keeping a more through bend
• using the actual corners of the ring
• general strength and conditioning
• not forgetting that I have a left hand and left leg
  
  How about you folks?  Your current goals?

Let's Say Thanks

Today seems like a day to say thank you to multiple people.

Thank you for my job to pay the horse bills.

Thank you to my husband who held my horses for the farrier while I had to work.

Thank you to the barn manager who made sure my husband could catch said feral acting horses while I was at work.

Thank you to the farrier who did an excellent job on their feet.  Such fine looking toes.

Thank you to the ponies who decided to be mostly well behaved when I brought them in.  The poor SFF is dealing with too many hormones and is trying to figure out if she is a little filly or a mare right now.

Thank you to the SFM who was well behaved on an excellent trail ride.

Thank you to the person who actually hacked out with me on the trail ride.  I always love good company.

How about you folks?  Anything to be thankful about today.

And I Didn't Buy Anything...

I managed to get away this weekend for a bit of horse related (and not horse related fun).

I went back to my old stomping grounds to go to a horse auction.  The students ride and train young horses which are auctioned off yearly. 

It's not really my breed or discipline of choice, but still fun for me to see how the horses do and if there is anything interesting.

One of the young horses

But I was interested to see how the foals of two young mares I knew that were long too young did in the sale.  They did ok, but not extreme prices compared to many started young horses.

I didn't buy anything.  I was tempted for approximately 2.75 seconds to bid on one of the older lesson horse mares going through the sale.  Exactly what I need is a broke Quarter Horse reining mare. 

But, I am a softy for making sure good horses land in good places.  We all know that one. 

It was also the birthday weekend of a good friend that I went and met up there.  Plus, we went to a birthday party for a friend's dog.  Who wouldn't have a good time?

Hope everyone else had a great weekend.

Dogs in party hats.  Why not?