All Around Good Time - Writing and Riding

 

Variety is the spice of life, and for horse people it is no different. Many of us wear multiple hats including the riding helmet, and are happy to put our creative talents to use in avenues other than the horse training one. And as most of you are aware, for me, one of these is writing. 

March marked a very special 'red letter' day for me, your current Editor at Catskill Horse, as my first work of fiction "The Dutchess of Chadwick" was published. It is available only in print. And you can find it here if you'd like to purchase an authentically signed copy. But hurry, because the First Edition is limited.

My book is a work of literary historical romance written in the traditional style. And it offers a nostalgic look at life in the Gilded Age, a book genre that has sadly seen a massive decline in recent years, mostly due to the 'woke' movement and the big publishers reluctance to promote romance per se. 

While popular Gen Z culture continues to expand its love of 'old money' fashion  styles and the romantic nature of the attire in a truly nostalgic escape from the present day trials, the publishing world has taken a giant step away from providing the women's fiction market with books that cover romantic interludes, passionate relationships, lifestyles of the 'haves and have nots' and the confining culture of the day that was prevalent, 'back in the day'.

Ironic perhaps, that the 'woke' movement included this step away from historical romance fiction. The action was driven by concern by publishers that the misogynistic aspect of these works was something to avoid mentioning and something not to be pushed into the readership realm, although most titles actually include the heroine overcoming the trials and tribulations that society presented as part of the storyline. 

I say ironic, because when you consider the founder of the huge author group, The Romance Writer's of America and who she was and what she stood for you realize that romance writing began its legacy in the U.S. as part of a 'woke' idea. Vivian Stephens, a black female author, wanted to inspire and help other women authors and thus she co-founded the organization with 37 other authors. It was in fact, originally, 'woke'. The controversial issues at what was actually the largest association of authors in the world at one point, The Romance Writers of America, caused a massive decline in membership leaving the organization in tatters. I sincerely hope it will recover.

This step way has meant that even noted and highly successful romance authors were told their next book wasn't wanted, so many authors pivoted and transformed their works to 'romantasy' and other mixed genre creations. Many notable authors went to indie publishing. And why not - there are many readers that love their works of historical romance fiction and see the merit in reading and assimilating it.  

 

Read a review here

 

And here I am, joining a dwindling group of authors who still believe that good writing combined with accurate representations of the life and times of yesteryear can help the 1,2,3 and Me and ancestry seeking present day reader learn and enjoy the process of what has gone on in history and what women both endured and conquered. Historical romance titles help people can find out what turmoils and tumults their ancestors dealt with and perhaps experience a taste of the, "Call The Midwife" like educational aspects that gift new-found respect for our mothers, grandmothers and relations further back in the family tree. We can collectively feel and know about what they endured and survived, and also what they enjoyed and loved in their lives.

The new world of writing that the publishing hierarchy has prescribed for women, is named, 'Chick Lit', itself a derogatory title for the effort and contributions writers in this genre provide.

The reality is, that other countries media are not quite as fickle as the U.S. publishing companies. Media entities abroad seem to realize that it is by showcasing how things happened in history that society learns what has come before and hopefully learns from it. 

Historical romance fiction can help today's generation better appreciate the efforts of the women that overcame the odds thrown at them to gradually improve life for women. Young readers are interested in experiencing that world. There are after all, only so many wizards and alien sci-fi fantasies the market can bear.

 

 

I give much respect to folks like Cindy Lauper, who illuminates the issues all women face and encourages us all to think more and to act with her foundation and its wonderful mission, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fundamental Rights," . Many authors do want to improve the health and well-being of all women and safeguard how far we have come to date, and protect the future from regressive laws and behaviors. 

But being aware doesn't mean we can't enjoy the look back at life in eras such as the Gilded Age, earlier Victorian and Regency periods and times even further back in history. Why should we be told what we can and can't access or enjoy.

If you go into a local bookstore, you will likely find that romance section is fairly small or missing altogether. The big 5 NYC publishing houses have taken it upon themselves to rely almost solely on shows like Bridgerton, a non-traditional language historical production, to carry the mantle of society's history of human romantic relationships to present day audiences. In fact when I went into my local bookstore in Oneonta, a two college town, called The Green Toad (what a wonderful name), the ONLY book they had in store in the historical romance genre was Bridgerton. How sad is that?

Across the pond and here in the U.S.A., the interest in traditional historical romance books and programs is high. Many have enjoyed Lord Julian Fellowes's writings and resulting productions such as Downton Abbey, The Monarch of the Glen, and remakes of Miss. Austin and Pride and Prejudice are streaming into the consciousness of a new generation of audiences worldwide.

In an effort to help inspire both aspiring and existing authors and to offer an opportunity for reader/writer engagement I've begun Nikki's The BookSmith Club. 

 

The BookSmith Club is free to enjoy, just like this magazine Catskill Horse that I began as community resource 12 years ago. The idea being to give access to all, and to create a useful environment for like-minded individuals with common interests to convene and chat. 

Horses and romance go very much hand in hand for many, and I hope that the mix that I have created in my novel, The Dutchess of Chadwick, will entertain, educate and offer a feel-good escape that we all need from time to time! 

Horse women are fairly savvy, tough and independent types of gals in general, but it is our 'soft center' that accesses the inner horse mentally and our hearts that give us the wisdom and the ability to be empathetic. And of course you learn empathy by reading. 

So kick off your boots, take a bath and enjoy some 'me' time with a good book. Please pick mine! I promise the horsey scenes are accurate and a horse doesn't neigh every time he enters a page and that the 'white knight' will be riding alongside our heroine, not taking charge of her life.

 

 

Propionic Acid In Your Horse's Hay - Good or Bad?

Hey - What's in your hay?

 

Organic Hay Supplies At Willowview Hill Farm

 

Today, the vast majority of large round and square hay bales are baled utilizing the convenience of adding the preservative propionic acid. And small squares similarly are regularly harvested using the 'spray' or as some horse owners refer to it, 'pickle juice'. In fact, farmers claim large masses of hay cannot be cured without mold occurring post harvest without pickling, particularly if hay is conjured up into large bale format.

Of course large bales also pose other risks for horses if preventative measures are not taken. As most horse owners are aware, many veterinarians advocate giving horses a vaccine against botulism if they are likely to be fed large bales, as the presence of dead vermin or other wildlife is associated with the larger-sized bales.

Many horse owners report issues with their equines' health that they believe stem from the animals' ingestion of forage produced using this increasingly popular preservative. Equine health issues with loose stools, hind gut acidosis, EGUS {equine gastric ulcer syndrome} and various skin conditions such as hives being the most common observed.

There are other preservatives too of course, including some worrying ones that are are based on bacterial microbes being added to the hay. But propionic acid is by far the most widely used at the present time. 

If you look at toxicity studies of the chemical compound in animals far less sensitive than the horse when it comes to digestive health processes, it reads rather ominously.

Extract - read full report here

One of many horses bred at Willowview Hill Farm

 

The reality is that horse owners have little choice when buying hay if they want to avoid these chemical additives in the forage supply. 

Market forces result in a decrease in the number of farmers who grow/harvest and produce small squares organically. This is for many reasons. Realize that the organic nature of farming precludes adding chemical fertilizers to increase yields which lessens overall yields; the labor costs/machine time expenses due to the length of time it takes Mother Nature to dry hay the old-fashioned way - sun and dry weather are higher for the farmer not using time-saving preservatives; higher crop losses are inevitable due to inclement weather rolling in unexpectedly. 

It's not even just the preservative factor that horse owners need to worry about, it's also the grass seed that is sown. Hay producers increasingly rely on Roundup ready seeds, particularly for alfalfa that is notoriously difficult to harvest in a timely manner without mold developing. Spraying with herbicides and pesticides is not uncommon.

The other question is whether small square bales themselves are becoming artisanal products. A topic we explored here.

The word artisanal is defined as,
“Creating a product in limited quantities by traditional methods.”

 

It's all a bit worrying really. When you consider how essential dry forage is to horses. Grazing is simply not available year around or when the horse is stabled.

To be fair, there have been studies conducted more recently that suggest the addition of propionic acid to a horse's diet is not a big thing. However, the issue is who conducted the study and its limitations. It is certainly a questionable study.

Sadly, it is rather transparently obvious that the ongoing pandemic in EGUS and other digestive and resulting health maladies our horses suffer is very much based on the changes in the formulations of both grain and forage that we are feeding our noble beasties.

One of many horses bred at Willowview Hill Farm

As many of our readers know, I am a solid believer in keeping our performance horses as healthy as possible from inception/birth through their vintage years and home-produce and sell organically grown hay and have done for more than 20 years. 

Back in the late 1990's, issues with respiratory and digestive conditions in horses were extensively reported across the pond with reports and research suggesting causative factors where indeed chemical and preservative based. Hence our decision to pick up sticks and move to a property large enough to home produce hay for our then budding performance horse breeding business and competition horse resource pool for ourselves and for sale to international level competitors.

Giving a horse a good start is so important, and keeping his gut health optimized is essential. When you consider the stressors today's equines are exposed to keeping them happy and well is harder than ever.

Look hard at what you are feeding your horses and know the provenance of it. Test your hay to ensure it doesn't include anything out of whack or nefarious. Be aware that you cannot smell or easily detect some of the elemental preservatives on the market yourself without some chemical analysis. 

If you are saddled with the only option being to purchase mold-free but heavily preserved hay, then consider adding a postbiotic product ( not a pre or pro), and learn about the digestive processes of your horse so you have a working knowledge of its needs and effects of it becoming sub-par and what you can do about it.

Shop artisanal if you can. It's the only way the labor of love diehard farmers who continue to produce organically grown and harvested hay will still be around. When you find an honest source, stick with it.

Willowview Hill Farm, Stamford, NY 

 

Winter Horse Training Tips 

 

When winter finally arrives - and it will - motivation to keep your horses in full training can often wane. 

 

There are many stellar reasons to take a step back and modify the training schedule. Not just you, but also your horses would likely appreciate an abbreviated work program. One that allows them some respite and downtime to refresh. 

 

In the North-East U.S.A, inclement weather often makes for a slip/slide affair on outside arenas. Those blessed with access to an indoor arena are obviously much more inclined to keep a full work program on point than those folks that need to work around snow and ice and dark evenings with no lights outside.

Professional trainers will often opt for heading South, Florida and South Carolina being the most popular destinations. You only have to look at the events calendar on our publication to see that the Florida Winter Circuit is already to go. With just a small list of local events to attend, the page is full of tempting sunny locations for winter work and competition.

Horses do seem to actually love the winter. And do enjoy keeping some level of activity up under saddle to keep their minds busy and bodies active.

Willowview Hill Farm, located in Stamford NY, keeps all horses in training all winter long. And even Grand Prix horses like this one enjoy long turnouts.

But what training can you do to keep your horses ticking over during winter months and how best can you take advantage of the quieter moments on the farm? Here are some tips on how to accomplish that - 

Winter is....

 

A great time to train your young horses to longe and free longe. Boot and wrap them if needs be to avoid injury from slipping over or catching a hoof with a shoe, but get them active.

 

 

 

An opportunity to take advantage of breaks in the weather to get out in the fields and ride. The fresh air is good for the lungs for both horse and rider. The horse has a long neck so cold air is not a big problem for the healthy horse.

Often a peaceful time at the barn - these quieter times offer more opportunity for training new tasks where the horse can focus wholly on the rider, without interruption from others using the space. Try and pick those very quiet times for best results. Added bonus, it is always good for any horse to be used to working in a space alone versus company.

Winter is also a great time for social equine horse events that include a good dose of education. Here our very own publisher, Horse in a Kilt Media's Paul Alvin-Smith - Grand Prix dressage trainer, is training an ANCCE Andalusian stallion at home 

(above photo) and also can be found out and about regularl giving clinics (below photos).

 

Always park your horse trailer in a handy, accessible location and keep the snow plowed out for easy hook up. Even if you are not going to a clinic it is always important to have it handy in case of an emergency.

Don't forget to clear the 'clutter' from horse areas, especially those where you plan to exercise your horse. Safety first!

Take advantage of winter riding gear to ensure you are comfortable temperature wise - otherwise you will be tense when you ride and that will translate into a tense horse beneath you. Insulated/heated riding boots, heated vests/jackets, ear warmers and of course, gloves!

 

 

Professional Horse Trainers Halt Video/Photo Recording

 

 

There is a new movement afoot in professional horse training circles to restrict videography and photography - to contain the message or conversation of the horse trainer's private process and progress working with horses. Folks may ask what are they hiding?

Training horses means taking full responsibility for their well-being. Exuberant behavior in the horse should be expected and his joyful attitude celebrated not subdued but it must for safety's sake sometimes be curtailed or contained.

 

 

There will be misunderstandings on both sides of the partnership. Both horse and rider will make mistakes. How much should you push your horse and when? Some horses will help you decide by giving an emphatic 'No' to your requests. But others are more vulnerable. It is essential as a trainer to protect those horses that can't or don't say, " No!"

When out and about giving clinics, hubbie Paul and I often see riders that are simply trying to hard to make things happen. The horse will (in most cases) simply shut down. I don't believe that horses are unwilling to work unless they lack understanding of the task or don't have the physical or mental wherewithal to complete the ask. And it should be an ask, not a threat or a punishment. But there are also those very special horses that will give their all and not stop giving even if it costs them physically or mentally.

 

As a trainer of horses you must be disciplined. And not just by following a schedule and turning up for work, but also by not allowing emotion to cloud your judgement. Just as temper and impatience has no place in training a horse, neither does over-zealous activity born of an emotional high that makes us keep asking for more and more effort from our 4-legged partner. 

If we are training our horses correctly the majority of the process will go smoothly. But there will be bumps in the road. Moments when 1500 lbs of horseflesh put us in danger. Moments when we must be proactive in how we react and read a situation. A preemptive strike or rather action.

This new pattern emerging among professional horse trainers to not allow video or photography at their stables or training clinics is gaining hoof hold. 

I have long held the belief that video and photography should be limited to the rider's use and not held for publication online. Moments of training taken out of context can easily be misread and there are an increasing number of armchair critics that frankly have no clue what they are talking about. 

Also trainers wish to protect their knowledge to some degree. It is a profession and they earn a living charging for their services. Why should they share it for free unless they wish to do so?

What do you think about a trainer who won't let you record what you see on recording devices and allow you to share openly online?

  

 

Horse Lifestyle on Steroids - Barndo Delights and Best Laid Plans

Everything does not always go to plan when it comes to horse property development. As I've learned, and many other equine owners have too.

Willowview Hill Farm North

When you buy a piece of open land to begin building your horse farm there are many options to choose from to accommodate the housing needs of  horses and humans. Like many other equine aficionados I was hit with the brilliant idea of combining the two types of housing for what was to originally be our second farm WVHN (Willowview Hill Farm North) designated for our horse breeding business. 

 

Horse-breeding at WVHN have transpired...

As my husband and I explored the possibilities for the thoughtful development of the south-facing open tillable fields, we determined a multi-use building (now commonly referred to as a Barndo) was the answer. 

Our design was slightly different to some, in that it wasn't a total condominium second level style human living space set above stabling below. Instead our structure would be fronted with a two level human housing structure, with the stabling running out behind it with an airy two story height.

We located an architect and engineer and after a frustratingly long period they executed the design and the sets of plans finally arrived. Off we went all abuzz to the local Building Inspector to gain permits and approval for the build. 

BUT a major mix up occurred as to intended use, and the all wooden structure was determined not sufficient for public/commercial use and steel rafters/trusses were supposedly required. This use was not our intention, it was to be a private facility. Something was evidently lost in translation. The Building Inspector later admitted to us he was reading the wrong book!

But, nonetheless, as a result of this error these Barndo plans were shelved. Or rather rolled up and tossed aside. It all ended up just as well. 

During this time we had weekended at the property in our 'trainers' RV, (a rather lovely new motorhome we had recently purchased that we used to commute to Florida each year for our dressage training). During these visits where we hauled horses back and forth and built paddocks, finished up stabling and a barn bathroom and office, we had already come to love the Upstate land of our intended 2nd farm location so much, we decided to move to it full-time and to sell off the WVHS property.

With a family of 5, including three teenage children, we figured we might prefer a residence plus a horse barn as this was to be the main home, rather than building a combo unit after all. 

A decision I might add, I do not regret overall. However, I do wish we'd built the multi-use structure and lived in it while we built the house rather than spending two years with the teens living the 39' Class A motor home on the property. 

Upstate winters are no joke especially at the elevation where the property is sited in the Catskill Mountains. And RV's are simply not built to handle it. Much fun was had navigating it all I have to say. A daily use of a hairdryer to defrost bathroom taps; a cold daily walk in a bathrobe to and from the barn to use a larger shower than the RV offered, that we had sensibly built in the barn bathroom; and an extra large propane tank attached to the RV that required frequent fill-up for heat and cooking needs, where the delivery driver was always given a fried egg on a roll sandwich and a hot coffee to keep him warm in the snow while he completed the operation. 

Winter fun!

 

And options for local houses to rent during the construction time were shall we say, 'limited' and we would not have been on site for the build. 

Being on site to receive and to keep building supplies secured ultimately became very necessary as we actually ended up also building the house ourselves with our own four hands too. 

This was due to the fact that no local builders could be found to complete the construction of the house. Every time we sent our plans out for quote they'd come back with the builder saying there was either an element they didn't know how to build, like a staircase or balcony so would not be included (sounded a bit silly), or could not manage the timeline (2 years out maybe i.e. they didn't want the job it was too big for most) or finally the last straw when a contractor that we decided to go with quoted one price and then when we got to contract signing they elevated the pricing significantly saying, "I misspoke." All very funny looking back at it. 

We are very happy we built it ourselves and it has been a fabulous journey. Not without its ups and downs of course. But that's a whole other story. Suffice to say the Building Inspector told us it was the house to be in neighborhood wise if a hurricane struck, because we had overbuilt all aspects. And that, he told us, was his only issue with it. A fine compliment of which we are quite proud.

 

Building the house was a family affair at times..but mostly just hubbie and I

Before all this transpired we had reached out to the company that had already constructed our new indoor arena, and we had quickly contracted them to build us a separate matching horse barn. 

Meantime my husband learned a very complicated CAD program and began designing the house. We were not keen to waste time with another long wait using engineers and architect. Armed with some first hand construction experience over the years having constructed several horse barns with our own four hands quite literally at our first farm, we were confident we could complete the plans. We commissioned some guidance from an engineer that we located in Cooperstown, NY, a wonderful older gentleman, and hubbie spent a solid 3 months working at the dining room table drafting the house plans. Between of course running another business, riding/training/breeding horses and caring for the needs of the two-legged members of the family. Quite the challenge, and looking back, I don't know how we managed it.

This all occurred over two decades ago, and building materials and options for Barndominium buys have come a long way since then. The full on Barndo lifestyle is unquestionably a horse lover's lifestyle on steroids. It would have been perfect for us in the above situation. Especially as time was of the essence for moving the kids through High Schools and today we could have simply ordered one up and had it delivered in less time than those original plans took us to attain. 

A modular style Barndominium purchase would have seen us all set up and ready to go in a matter of days following delivery, and with a multitude of choices for style, sizes and designs, we could have crafted it to complement the existing indoor arena in color and materials. 

Perhaps later we could have used it as staff quarters, guest house needs, adult kid and family space or even Airbnb'd it or rented it out. Or as it turned out, it would have been useful to offer to my elderly Mom as a space of her own following the loss of my father.

But, the modular Barndo wasn't available then. And the reality is that though the RV cost then as much as a Barndo would today, the choice we made was one that seemed our best option at the time. The value of the RV of course declined precipitously after purchasing it new, where the Barndo would of course increased in value. Oh well. Too late now.

The delights of Barndo living are clearly widely embraced by horse folks, and the designs have come a long, long way from the historic use of Hunting Boxes or prior centuries when it was a necessity to live alongside animals for their security and warmth. 

To-day's Barndominiums offer a versatility and lifestyle all its own, and it's well worth taking a look.

 

Horizon Structures delivers modular barndominiums nationwide

Get Out And Trail Ride The Beautiful 26 Mile Catskill Scenic Trail

 

The wonderful world of trail riding is a great place to get out and actually train your horse, as well as perfect for just relaxing and spending time with your equine partner and equestrian friends and family. 

In our neighborhood here in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York, there is lots going on (learn more about that here!)  and horsey lifestyles are certainly one of them, along with attractions such as rental trail horse-riding locations and the highest caliber professional horse trainers in specific disciplines such as showjumping, reining and dressage that include national and international level equestrians. 

So truly, the region is further developing into a horse-oriented area alongside its base as a traditional farming community with lots of fantastic benefits of rural lifestyle living. 

The 26-mile well-kept Catskill Scenic Trail, has an interesting history as a train route. Today it is a tranquil and pretty route that folks from all walks of life can enjoy. It winds provocatively through quaint villages, vintage farms and archways of tree lined dappled light and is an asset to the community.

The Catskill Scenic Trail is open to all to use, and has some convenient off-road locations to park up your rig and saddle up to hit the trail if you aren't lucky enough to live within hacking distance of the 26 mile adventure. 

 

 

The route runs from Roxbury, NY on Rt 30, through to Bloomville, NY on Rt 10, traversing through many farms and private landowners properties of both big and small acreage, and meanders through villages such as the 'Queen of the Catskills' and this author's hometown, Stamford. 

There are lots of convenient places to grab an ice-cream or a cool beverage or even hot breakfast. And at one rather cool place, Catskill Junction in Stamford, a thoughtful ownership even offer a water bucket for the horse as well as a canteen fill up for the equestrian.

Stamford's summer activities are fairly extensive, from the prized golf course at Harmony Hill Road to the Summer Concert Series on the village green, there is plenty for other family members to enjoy if they are not interested in the horse side of life.

At present the trail owners/management have withstood the barrage of requests to open the trail to motorized equipment keeping it safe for pedestrians and equestrians to enjoy. Many local residents use it for dog walking or fitness running. Only in winter are snowmobiles granted access. 

The advent of ATVs/UTVs/SXS or motorized bikes being granted access is always a double-edged sword and would likely forever impact and change the peace and quiet and safety that can be enjoyed there. So kudos to the team that manages the trail for sending out a survey and adhering to the preferences of the majority who apparently wish to see it kept as a peaceful trail of scenic beauty and value its merit without traffic.

Certainly aggressive tires of vehicular traffic would muddy and rut the trail, as well as likely cause a nuisance to the landowners alongside the property and upset other peace seeking users and neighbors alike with their noise and fast pace. And its possible that motorized vehicle users would soon become bored with the trail and wander off on private property, which might necessitate the trail being fenced where it runs through private lands or start driving on Town roads in areas where ATV/UTVs are not allowed to run on the road.

There are always moves afoot to gain a hold of the trail use for other pastimes. Privately run clubs like the 607 Riders offer to monitor set events for the opportunity to use the trail, and there is also a case to be made to occasionally share the trail if the clubs are prepared to repair damage caused by their use at specific dates and given that public announcements would be broadcast well in advance to help alley and fears other users might have about bumping into hundreds of ATV/UTV units coming their way along the trail. For a horse, such a meeting would be quite overwhelming and for a carriage horse in harness, could cause sincere upset if it was required to halt for the required lengthy period to allow the multitude of machines to pass.

Give the trail a look. It's well worth the effort to transport your horse there. It has shady aspects and some good places to pick up pace too. There are a few gates to navigate around that the mounted rider can easily access without obstacle. Driving a carriage? That is possible too. But call in advance to get the access to gates or else you'll be disappointed and likely a bit 'stuck' in the traces. The map details where the gates are placed.

A full article detailing the trail and its history may be covered by "The Merry Band at The Catskill Horse," magazine this summer. We have reached out to the trail management to see if they'd like to participate. But meantime the Catskill Scenic Trail website has a wealth of information for the visitor that addresses all the frequently asked questions. 

And please peeps, don't leave your litter behind and do other users of the trail the courtesy of standing your horse off on the side of the trail on the grass to pass manure.

All you should leave behind are hoofprints!

 

 

Spring Checklist - Don't Forget To Spa Treat Your Barn

Spring is nearly here and with it comes a bevy of farm jobs that need to be completed before the season picks up pace.

Spring Time Is Horse Spa Time

As horse owners we all look forward to our equines' shed of winter coats and 'getting our groom on' to ensure our wee beasties are shiny and clean for the likely uptick in under saddle work. While our horses do their bit to groom each other, they do need out help!

Horses Do Need Help Shedding Winter Coats

Time to Tidy Up The Barn

 

But while tidying the barn, cleaning tack, grooming horses and preparing for the better riding weather is likely on the Spring check list, don't overlook the importance of giving your barn a Spring makeover and clean up too.

While washing down the stalls and doing a deep clean may be a few months away for those of us that enjoy the cooler North-East climate - this is a perfect time for removing dust and cobwebs (especially off light fixtures), cleaning down windows, repairing window screens for the busy bug season that is coming and making a few fence repairs.

A key area of the barn spa treatment that is often overlooked is the hay storage area. Loose hay will form a carpet in the hay storage area, and cleaning it out is a necessity if you don't want to contaminate the new hay crop when it becomes available. As your hay stock supplies are likely rapidly diminishing, the Spring is a great time to do a thorough clean out. 

Tidy Up All Areas of the Barn

 

Sure, you may have diligently raked and brushed out the space during the winter months as the haystack receded, but it is also important to go deeper. If you use tarpaulins or pallets, they need to be removed. Underneath you will likely discover evidence of rodent life. You may find a layer of mold infused moisture and composting hay that has made its way through crevices to the bottom layer. 

Once raked and cleaned, the floor beneath may have patches of dampness that will benefit from being left a few days to thoroughly dry out. A concrete floor can be vacuumed with a Shop Vac. It is always better to use a vacuum rather than broom sweep and brush dust and detritus about, for obvious reasons.

Lime can be added to dirt floor areas to soak up any odors and freshen the ground, before placing tarpaulins or pallets back. Before replacing tarpaulins wash them off and set them to dry outside in the sun to help remove any toxins from their surface. When tarpaulins are laid out flat on the ground remember to secure them to prevent a strong wind sending them airborne.

A clean hay stall or storage area is essential if you don't want to contaminate good hay. Hay is increasingly expensive, and buying good quality hay is important but so is keeping it that way.

If you store your hay supply in a large building, similar tidying up and cleaning out is necessary. 

Clean Up Time!

If you home produce hay then you have hopefully already cleaned and serviced all the equipment and brushed out the hay wagons ready for use before the winter arrived. 

Cleaning out hay wagons after each use will help them last longer!

 

Hay harvesting weather will be here before we know it, and getting ahead of the preparations is better done now rather than leaving everything to the last minute.

Hay Harvesting Time Will Soon Be Here

 

And don't forget to clean up the pasture too. Hay left sitting around hay feeders, left loose on the ground will soon become a mire of manure and mud which you will find yourself cleaning up off your horses.

 

What They Don't Eat Needs Cleaning Up

A clean and tidy pasture is all part of horse management. And when the proper Spring riding weather arrives you'll be all set to get out and ride rather than cleaning the barn.

And when it comes to restock your hay, you know you won't be wasting your new hay supplies before you even get started by having them contaminated with last year's hay.

A pasture at Willowview Hill Farm, Stamford, NY

And don't forget that buying your hay supply early in the year, especially off the wagons is a great way to save money. When supply is plentiful prices will be lower and you will also have a better choice of hay from which to select.