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.

 

 

When To Quit Your Horse Business

According to the recent report from the American Horse Council the horse industry is alive and kicking. And not only does the horse industry continue to grow and develop, it's economic impact on other sectors are a whopping $122 billion. This total added value in 2023 shows a massive increase from the 2017 total of $122 billion. 

 

The same recently released report (which you can find here), also stated that there was a slight reduction in the horse population from the $7.2 million recorded in 2017 to $6.6 million in 2023. Are horse breeders stepping down and out of the industry? Or are imports of horse numbers down? Or are horse breeders simply breeding less horses but remaining in business?

The variety of active horse business types is extensive. An industry that has the bandwidth across tourism, agriculture, land conservation, construction, medical and other concerns naturally has huge impacts on regional economies. 

The relationship between horse ownership and class distinctions of elite societies has not dwindled over time, but the grass roots horse aficionado population continues to develop as folks discover the incomparable emotional/health benefits that horse ownership brings to their lifestyles. 

Ardent horse lovers that have either made their professional life one of working with horses or have operated a horse farm as a hobby or side hustle, often have a difficult time letting go of their passion for operating a horse business. Even when the writing is clearly on the stable wall that that time has arrived.

 

In Catskill Horse magazine's recent article, "How To Find The Energy To Stick With Horses As You Age Up," the topic of aging out of horses is discussed in regard to the amateur owner. But what about the horse professional? 

Following a recent discussion I enjoyed with a fellow horse breeder who had sold up her farm after 30 years in the industry and moved State, bringing with her a herd of horses that included young horses, mares and foals and stallions, it struck me that letting go of the horse owning and the horse breeding habit is certainly not easy for many of us to do. In fact, letting go of operating any horse business is hard to do.

Gambol's Georgy Girl - Our 2nd generation homebred mare was the last to go and was sold in Feb 2020.

 

Certainly as a now retired from horse breeding professional, I continue to love owning young horses and developing them (hence my chat with the lady above while on the hunt for another horse to add to our private yard). 

It was hard to sell off our homebred 2nd and 3rd generation mares and to let go of the annual routine that was such a big part of our lives. Stallion collections and selection of suitable sires from outside our yard, AI process and protocols, prepping mares and stalls for foaling out, and of course working with the progeny through their lives until sale or in some cases, until they reached their potential as Grand Prix horses.

Our last homebred foal - WVH Extravaganza

 

BUT, I am glad that we did fold out of the horse breeding business. Once the pandemic finally allowed us back to the world of giving horse clinics and travel was back on the table, life has definitely been a lot less stressful on the horsey homefront. 

There are now no worries about how the pregnant mares are faring; no need for the arduous process of taking down of partition walls for foaling stalls; no nighttime foal watches; no newborns to pander over etc. 

It is especially less stressful when we need to travel having less concern over horse care at home while you are gone. Handling and caring for breeding stock is not for the inexperienced horse person and finding good help is always difficult. It has also given me the freedom to spend more time abroad with family, and to lend a hand to facilitate my 90 year old Mom fulfilling her dreams of trips and travel.

Our private yard is empty of any mares at all, and boys are the focus. Which is where we began our horse ownership all those years ago. 

Me with our WVH Extravaganza, our 3rd generation homebred - Lusitano/DWB - he's all grown up!

Of course I miss the excitement of waiting for the Spring crop of foals to hit the ground, and hanging out with my mares enjoying some Mom to Mom time. But there are always good reasons to hang onto a lifestyle, and always good reasons to let it go.

For the lady I mentioned above, it sounded as though her regrets at selling her horse farm were well-founded. She is now renting space, dealing with the usual bevy of upsets that can come with keeping horses away from home. The livery options available to her are limited by both her location and the fact the horses she owns include stallions and foals etc. 

As one of many horse businesses you can operate, horse breeding in particular is something very hard to do competently without a good home base.

Lots of time spent in Portugal - Here in the Algarve

 

Travel back and forth across the pond, to both Europe and the United Kingdom has certainly picked up pace for me. And I am enjoying it. Trips to Spain and Portugal, Italy coming up again soon, and dear old Blighty - are lots of fun. 

Trips are always a mix of work giving dressage clinics, taking some dressage lessons with master riders and trainers in the sport where possible, visits with PR/Marketing clients and completion of writing assignments, and where possible, family time.

Enjoying the 'High Life' with British Airways

 

Travel is not all fun though. Flight cancellations, a lot of as I call it, 'Hurry up and wait' time. It is tiring. I am always happy to be home and back to our private yard of horses and to my own bed. 

If you are a horse business owner, consider all your options this year and decide how you truly want to move forward for yourself. It is a leap year after all, perhaps this is the year to take that leap of faith and change up what you are doing in with your life.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Christmas and 2024 - News and Views - A Note from your Editor

It's been a stellar year here at Catskill Horse magazine and it is thanks to many folks chipping in, contributing and supporting the core efforts of The Merry Band at The Catskill Horse. We thank each and every one of you!

It's been a great 11 years thus far, and we have a wealth of new plans for 2024 thanks to all the feedback everyone kindly gave to our recent survey.

 

 

The continuation of the publication in a new format along with keeping the magazine free from a paid subscription model is planned, and work has already begun with our IT volunteer and publisher Paul Alvin-Smith taking the reins on the graphic design and layout. There will be a subscription option added where users will be invited to join the 'official' readership list , but no pay wall will be instigated.

Readers can expect a more user-friendly experience, matched with video driven content, great copy with plenty of training advice for horse folks and more travel inspired adventures. Several new writers have joined The Merry Band and a new diversity to content will be the result. In addition to the mainstay equestrian focus, new spin-off columns and media platforms on rural lifestyle, including hunting and hunting guide coverage to both field and stream; homestead advice and insights with rural property development advice for farm, agritourism, garden and sustainable living including off-grid living, log homes and small houses; plus livestock and pet corner are also in the works. 

Advertisers continue to report great metrics on their analytics that showcase the value of the organic SEO boost from the .org status of Catskill Horse and the high number of repeat viewers that are loyal to the brand, with good sharing across the social media platforms reaching an ever increasing number of readers. The demographic audience is trending lower in age, and the advent of the new magazine layout and update will doubtless help develop this trend further.

Micro-influencing through the various PR routes and distribution media channels offer a myriad of opportunities to snag new viewership. The micro-influencer channels are not huge but importantly are very well targeted and thus productive. It is expected that the reach of the magazine will continue its upward spiral as new social media platforms will be announced in early summer. New partnerships will be announced in particular with professional film production on video routes.

Social teaming will also be available to select advertisers with differentiated markets honored to ensure no conflict between brands. The advice of noted mentors, including Barbara Corcoran, has been brought front and center through liaison with certain loyal magazine readers who worked directly under her tutoring and have kindly gifted their access and expertise. This is an aspect we are very excited to be bringing to the table, as we expect the returns to be significant.

Our free help to 501(c)3 registered charities will continue and be further developed as we continue Catskill Horse mission to make the world a better place for all to enjoy.

The aim of the magazine is as always, to bring a super, fun, and useful resource to as many horse trainers/owners, country lifestyle loving folks and cookery and travel aficionados as possible. The magazine continues to expand well beyond the North-East U.S.A., in parallel with the breadth of interests readership has reported. We will continue to add staff to the writing team to broaden the expertise across these topics to meet the demand.

There is also a likely mid-July launch of an exciting rebrand of a specialist canine/pet publication, pending some ongoing negotiations for an acquisition of an existing well-respected publication. We will keep you posted!

So that's the update for now. Please stay tuned for additional news!

Happy 2024! 

 

Your Editor,

Nikki Alvin-Smith

Nikki Alvin-Smith

Clinic Season Popping - The Joy Of Giving Horse Clinics Abroad

Travel is always both fun and difficult for a horse owner. The benefits of being able to get 'off the farm' for a respite from the daily work is welcome but the convoluted world of air travel can make the idea of taking off for different climes and countries a stressful affair.

But once I am safely seated in my international airline seat, I know there is nothing to be done but kick back and enjoy the ride. A bit like when you finally enter at A during a dressage test as an experienced competitor. It's time to put the nerves away and just get on and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  

 

Once you have safely landed the next major happy moment is seeing your luggage come off the carousel. For every passenger seeing that their suitcases are present and intact is always a relief, but for a horse clinician or competitor, it is especially significant. Let's face it, replacing your custom tall dressage boots or perfectly fitted riding helmet on the fly would not be easy to do.

 

Arrival at an English-speaking company is always easier than one where you have limited (if any!) comprehension of the language. Visits to give clinics in Europe for hubbie and myself, have always been difficult where the audience is not all ex-pats that speak English or even the younger generation of EU riders who can manage to converse in English reasonably well. 

Portugal and Spain are notably harder to navigate than France or Germany, and Italy is definitely one where a translator is necessary at the clinic events. Technology options not withstanding, it is still an challenging task to get the message through at times. Though many laughs are often had along the way.

Horse keeping methods and horse barns are always interesting to observe during your travels. In Portugal horses in training are often stabled for much of the time, as grazing is very limited due to the lack of grass available. 

Meantime in Britain, where grass is plentiful, livery barns of all grades offer plenty of turn out. And of course my noted fellow countrymen, Charlotte Dujardin ( actually grew up in my hometown!) and Carl Hester, advocate the benefits of grazing for even their most elite equine superstars.

 

Even at the most prestigious world renowned dressage masters' private yards, care is sometimes more rudimentary than you might expect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horses in the U.K. are most commonly pastured most of the time.

 

One of the superstars at a clinic event we gave in the Lake District, UK. No fancy stabling but a beautifully fit horse and well-kept.

Not just the horse housekeeping but also the horse training and workout methods are also different globally. Pounding horses around the indoor day in day out is frowned upon most everywhere. 

In many countries getting the horses out on the road, exposed to everything that is there at an early age, helps set them up for success when it comes to the busy world of showgrounds and competition. And of course, linking up from bridleway to bridleway is a great way to enjoy trails elsewhere.

Safety first when on the road is a must. Boots and jackets for everyone.

Riding through the villages is great fun.

 

There is always a lot of driving involved when giving clinics abroad. It is important to be a good map reader, because navigation systems only go so far. It pays dividends to take a good co-pilot along with you. It makes things much easier. 

 

And of course, when you're not pouring over maps and devices to find your way, there will be beautiful scenery to enjoy. And random food stops!

Lake District - Windemere

Tavira, Portugal Algarve Region

 

 

Converted dairy barn in farm county.

Random spots for a coffee stop, including renovated stables!

And don't forget the foodie fun. Exploring different cuisines is all part of the adventure. But I do carry some SNZ antibiotics, charcoal tabs/psyllium tabs/ Immodium and Gavescon with me just in case needed! Don't want too much adventure, and feeling poorly when you've got to stand in the center of an arena giving instruction for 8 or 9 hours a day is no fun.

 

Don't forget to try the local wine

Living dangerously with cured meats - but delicious fare is worth the risk (pick a clean/good quality restaurant though!)

Don't forget to take time out to relax. Especially after all that driving and standing/walking/riding about... , 

Nikki at the Estrela Pousada, Serra da Estrela. highest point on mainland Portugal.

 

In all, getting yourself out of your own 'training' rut and out and about, shopping/competing or giving clinics is always good for the mind and soul. 

Don't be shy to expand your horizons, the rewards are well worth the expense and effort. And meeting fellow equestrians from different backgrounds and countries is always a treat!

 

Paul and Nikki Alvin-Smith, The Algarve, Portugal.

 

Experts Warn To Stock Up On Horse Hay Needs

It doesn't come as a huge shock to hay producers in the country to hear experts warning horse owners to stock up on their forage needs early this year.

 

Organically produced hay growing at Willowview Hill Farm, Stamford, NY

Take the recent press release by Coleman, University of Kentucky Extension Office -

"Coleman emphasized that hay is a mobile commodity. Although hay may be readily available in some areas, regions experiencing a shortage will require hay to be transported across the state or county,” he said. “Making hay purchasing decisions early can ensure buying at a reasonable price when the supply is abundant. Waiting until later in the feeding season might lead to reduced availability and significantly higher costs.” (read more on our news page)

 

Here in the North-East we've enjoyed the wettest July in nearly 200 years, 197 to be exact, and the 3rd wettest month in 197 years with over 11.5 inches in Upstate regions of New York. Staggering metrics for sure, and as any hay farmer knows not only has Mother Nature dished out heavy rain this growing season, she has also spent this season offering tantalizing day of sun followed by a day of rain. 

Finding horse hay of 2nd cut supply wise will be hard as quantities will necessarily be low due to the late 1st season harvest. Finding 1st cut that hasn't been wet in the field will be equally hard. 

The reality is that many farmers through sheer frustration turned to silage as a means to get hay harvested at all. While others have relied on the bevy of (untested for safe use on horses) dry-down agents and preservatives to cure hay sufficiently to prevent it causing fires, molding and dusting etc. Adding 'organic' acids does not mean that the final product can't cause horses health issues just because the word organic is in the title.

The other concern is that soaking or even steaming the hay that is infused or coated with these dry-down agents will likely not remove them from the forage. It is also good to realize that almost every large round bale of hay will have been treated in some manner to try and negate mold, dust or other issues in these so called 'ton' bales. It is simply almost impossible to bale these mammoths without their use.

Health issues that are likely to be prevalent in horses exposed to 'treated' hay crops can include hives, upper respiratory inflammation (especially in young horses), and that bane of every horse owner at this point, ulcers.

Digestive issues in the horse naturally manifest themselves in a variety of issues. Leaky gut syndrome, hind gut issues in general, lack of condition or poor behavior, muscle soreness and lameness, skin issues etc. The list goes on.

There are lots of good reasons to feed supplements to counter the effects of the negative diet and nutrition in the horse, but of course not putting the a horse's health in jeopardy in the first place would be ideal. This is trickier than it seems, as finding good quality well cured hay that is cured the old-fashioned way, by Mother Nature alone, is hard to do. When you do find it, it is likely more expensive than its counterparts and the absence of dry-down agents or preservatives does not mean it is good hay. 

Hay also needs to be clean and green, meaning clean of weeds, dust and mold and green with good color notating a proper time of harvesting and method of drying to the correct moisture content has been executed.

Many folks turn to feeding bagged, commercially produced forage made by large companies such as Standlee (Tractor Supply a likely purchasing point). If you read the print on the label and website, they do indicate that the hay they utilize has been treated with preservatives etc.

The likelihood is that hay produced to date will be quickly snapped up by hay dealers who have both the storage to hold large supplies in reserve while the market is built up to high demand and highest prices can be attained with accompanying robust profit margins. They can move the hay wherever the best price will be paid, often out of the area it was produced. 

Sadly it is not usually the farmer that reaps the profits of the hard labor it takes to produce hay. So in response, farmers across the U.S.A. have plowed many hay fields under for more profitable crops over the past several years. A practice that continues to show no sign of stopping its upward trending popularity.

The extremely high costs of fertilizer mean that yields are likely down. Utilizing 'liquid gold' cow manure or other animal manure spread on the fields after 1st cut to bring on the 2nd cut is common practice. But the organic manure will also bring with it a myriad of unwanted seeds from weedy or obnoxious plants. 

The small square, user-friendly, organically grown and harvested hay supply is ever diminishing and the reality is that as Coleman at UK quoted in his press release above, the best time to set up your hay supply is now not later. If you don't have proper storage then its wise to think about making an investment in that area too. 

 

 

 

Do Expensive Horse Therapies Actually Work?

The recent press including the bold publication of some interesting books has highlighted the use and accessibility of expensive therapies and modalities administered to equine athletes and brought up the topic of whether or not horses truly benefit from all the effort.

Our Horses All Deserve The Best - But What Is The Best?

 

Diagnosing a health or performance issue is obviously a key to managing its care and offering remedial help to the animal. But just when are the lengths that can be employed to research, diagnose and the myriad of treatment options just used to pay for the expensive diagnostic equipment and build pharmaceutical or feed/supplement companies' bottom line?

Just as in human medicine, the doctors in veterinary medicine are subject to the market forces that exist to build business. The increasingly widespread use of drugs like Osphos, which I wrote about in this article -is a great example of how persuasive marketing from a drug manufacturer in press such as the AAEP magazine, and assorted 'attractive' offers, can make a treatment popular without necessarily, in this author's humble opinion anyway, being proven as safe to use long term. 

The business of equine medicine is still booming, despite the lack of ambulatory care providers nationwide. The attendance of a team of expert veterinarians at a prestige barn to treat the most valuable horseflesh will always be a given, even Universities such as Cornell must follow the money. And some opportunities at these high-end facilities to research and document injuries, diseases and treatments do come with the chance to employ their vast array of expensive equipment and learned personnel.

But increasingly the backyard or amateur horse owner is left in the dust. The budget of the average horse owner does not stretch to spending money on major diagnostic practices or costly treatments, even if they are willing or even able to transport their horses to a clinic or university location for the privilege. 

Many notable authorities in the veterinary field, including the much-loved Dr. David Ramey and similarly published author, Dr. Shelley Onderdonk, are among the growing number of veterinarians who are 'coming clean' about the prevalent use and validity of some of the protocols being urged on horse owners by their noble profession.

Full credit to publishers Trafalgar Square Books, for publishing titles such as one of their most recent, Winning with Horses. A stellar insight from both a highly regarded and accomplished polo professional Snow, and his partner veterinarian Onderdonk into the real 'winning' ways.

One of the very best remedies for healing in the horse, whether mental or physical and sometimes both of course run together, is simply to rest the horse. But no-one is making any money out of that, and sadly many horse owners simply don't want to give the horse the time it needs to properly recover.

The horse owners who simply does not have the money to fund repeat vet visits, multiple ongoing tests/Xrays/ ultrasounds, and specialist therapies such as laser treatments or stem cell regenerative methods etc. will likely feel a measure of guilt at not pushing their financial well-being off a cliff to afford what they are coerced into believing is, 'best for their horse". Somewhat ironically, by not doing everything possible and throwing everything but the kitchen sink at a health issue, these horse owners may be doing their horses a huge favor.

A good dose of common sense in the animal's routine, diet and daily care and exercise, with obviously some background help from a veterinary perspective (hopefully someone with an approach based on integrity and sincere knowledge and strong enough in character not to be subject to the wiles of the industry forces), can be better than what some doctors ordered.

The reality is that quick fixes often don't last, and Mother Nature still has plenty of import in the healing process and recovery of an animal's well-being that is sometimes better left without undue interference.

Diabolical Air Quality In NE Hampers Hay and Horses

Unless you've been living under a rock, which might actually be the best place to be right now, you will be experiencing the negative affects of significant air pollution from the Canadian forest fires in the North-East and beyond.

New York City was the most polluted city in the world on 6/6/23

 

It is stunning to be checking your phone for updates on the AQI ( air quality index) on an hourly basis when you usually enjoy the usually clean, fresh mountain air in the Catskills. 

Horse farms necessarily involve a lot of strenuous work outside and health experts telling us all to stay inside to protect our lung and heart health is not an option.

In recent years we have all learned a lot about mask wearing. Ironically now we find ourselves wearing ours between exiting the vehicle or house to get in to an air-conditioned shop where we remove them rather than the other way around a few years ago. Where the public places were where we'd put them on.

For the past few days the air quality has been so poor, nearly 200 AQI, that we have been wearing masks all the time we are outside with the horses. We have taken the precaution to stop working the horses altogether, both for their sake and for ours.

Thankfully our ongoing film production crew that were here at the farm for The Horse Studio/Horse in a Kilt Media shoot of Dressage 101 - Starting The Young Horse, in the past few weeks on and off had already left due to predicted cloudy weather.  

Turn out times for the horses have been limited and scheduled around when the better air quality hours may occur, be that inconvenient very early morning hours or whenever. The barn doors are kept shut to try and mitigate the air flow of polluted air down the aisleway. Thankfully the weather is cool so the barn does not need them open for cooling though we have been reluctant to close all the windows. 

Thankfully horses have a long neck that helps protect their respiratory system from airborne particles but according to the health experts the pollutant particles are of a size that our bodies cannot easily clear them and they will settle in our lungs.

Haymaking hadn't begun on our organic hay farm at Willowview Hill Farm, due to the lack of rain and lack of growth of the crop. This weather hasn't helped much and we will certainly wait for Mother Nature to come wash down all the grasses of particles of ash that we have actually seen floating down from the sky.

I feel sorry for those in the horse community who have events planned, competitions lined up and expenses to cover. 

The adverse air quality and lack of rain is not the only problem folks are facing. The pop up thunderstorms producing golf ball size hail in parts of Upstate New York and I'm sure elsewhere have damaged much agritourism produce. The nursery businesses have all their stock outside and set up ready for the big sale season and much stock that simply could not be moved inside has been decimated by the storms.

Oh Canada..

 

But to keep all this in perspective we must remember the people in Canada that have lost much more. Their homes and livelihoods. 

And if we step just a few thousand miles away to Ukraine, or even further afield we can see a completely other level of suffering.

We shall all weather this weather. But it is a stern reminder that we should not take our oxygen or our water for granted.