The Seven Deadly Sins of Horse Hay Making

There is a lot more to haymaking than 'Making Hay While the Sun Shines' though that is a necessary start. Sadly each year horse barns and farmers storage barns burn down, horses become sick from respiratory disease and colic and a myriad of other diseases such as Cushings. Many of these situations are avoidable so here are, in my opinion, "The Seven Deadly Sins of Horse Hay Making," in no particular order.

1. Hay Moisture.

Baling hay that shows a moisture content of over 14% can be a recipe for disaster and is not recommended. Once hay is cut it will 'sweat up' for approximately two to three weeks. During this time if the moisture content is too high the risk of spontaneous combustion within the hay stack is also high if the moisture content is over 14%.  There are lots of tools to help you ascertain the exact percentage of moisture in your hay including hay wands and moisture testers, some balers even read every bale as they go through the machine. Yes, farmers are becoming high tech each year. If you have a worry that your stack is becoming too hot, then contact your Fire Department. Never try and take apart a hay stack that is in a combustion state however 'mild' it may appear without professional help. Opening up the stack that is suspected by smell or heat measurement of combustion being imminent can cause a blow up as oxygen hits the fire or the gases that build up inside the stack.

Hay that is baled with too much moisture will also 'dust'. We all know the real hazards to horses of dusts and molds in hay. You may not see them, you may not smell them. But the reality is that early respiratory issues often start with just one bad bale, and colic most certainly can be a real risk from bad hay, so as horse owner it pays to be diligent.

You can buy out of the wagons and will usually receive a discount from the farmer for doing this, as it saves double handling. Just be sure to check the moisture and follow the storage rules below. And remember, always make a change in hay slowly with your horses to avoid colic. Newly cut hay is going to be much richer than last years cut, and if it comes from a different source/field will also have a different make up to the previous hay you have fed.  The digestive system of a horse needs time to adjust to changes whether it be grain or hay, so be sure to add just a little bit of new with the old and switch over slowly. I try and store the hay two or three weeks to cure before feeding.

2. Hay Preservatives

In order to cure hay there are at least twenty different preservatives that can be added to the hay at time of baling and cutting by the farmer. Most of these have been tested for safety with cattle, but may or may not have been tested on horses. There is some evidence to suggest that certain preservatives, while all are undetectable to the eye or nose, may cause respiratory inflammation in horses of all ages. As your horse spends hours with his nose in hay for much of the year, it is not surprising that he might be affected in this manner. We ask a lot of our performance horses and this is an area of concern and long term health too, as young horses are particularly susceptible. Why do farmers add these products? Simply put it saves time waiting for Mother Nature to dry the hay, will reduce dust in the hay which will result as hay 'sweats up' then cools down if it baled with too much moisture. It also allows farmers to bale with more water content in the hay which means if they sell by the ton they will receive a higher price. I cannot tell you how many hay dealers have come and checked our hay and told us, we want these bales bigger, weighing seventy pounds. Well that weight would be from water, and we know that we would have to add chemicals to do this. So we won't. But just be aware when you are buying hay, it is not all about the weight.

3. First Cut Versus Second Cut

Farmers receive a higher price for 2nd cut hay. This is because it is higher in protein. The grass is often softer too depending on the types of grass. It is important that you check the quality of hay you use in your horse's diet by core sampling and sending out for testing so you know what its protein content is and value to your horse's overall nutrition. Too much protein is not necessarily good for horses, while for dairy cows it is beneficial. The high nitrogen can cause colic, the high protein and sugar content can cause and aggravate Cushings. First cut hay can be a little less soft, but it is not generally as rich and is more 'entertaining' for horses to eat as it takes them more time to eat as it requires more chewing. Personally, unless it is a thoroughbred mare in foal or a high performance thoroughbred cross I rarely use second cut for horses. I will use it as a supplement, but not as a main dietary source. See notes below for special circumstances for underweight/ill/rescue horses.

4. Hay Stacking

Hay needs air circulating to keep it healthy. Store it with string side on the vertical to facilitate good drainage of any moisture to the bottom bales on the stack. We always sell the bottom of the stack out for mulch hay and never feed it, but then depends on turnover and storage conditions. If you store on a concrete floor, moisture will aspirate off the concrete up into the stack, so avoid that. Add a layer of tarp and shavings on top to prevent this. Leave a minimum of half inch gap between and around every bale on the layer. Criss cross the stack, i.e. one layer all in one direction, the other layer in the other direction and repeat. Again, improves air flow and improves safety of the stack and hopefully prevents it from tumbling down. If you have a hay mall then do whatever you can to increase air circulation and obviously no roof leaks allowed. Throwing a tarp on top of the hay just under the leak will not eliminate water and will allow water entry/run off onto another part of the stack and moisture will in any event be present in the building.

Probably the very worst way to store hay is in a steel container. You are adding moisture from the repeated condensation of the metal sides and roof and floor of the steel container. If your feed merchant uses this method, beware. The front doors may be open but it won't be enough to help maintain hay quality. Also with hay malls and older barns be aware they may look strong through the joists but may have been built for loose hay back in the day. Stacking hay that is baled is much, much heavier.

5. Big Rounds Versus Small Squares

The small squares are naturally much easier to handle, maybe a little more expensive because there is so much more labor required, but overall probably a better choice in my opinion. Round bales are hard to handle in the barn, though they can be easily taken to the field with a tractor with the right fork or blade and are often used for outside feeding. The wastage factor is high. Both because the outside 1/3rd to 1/2 of the round bale may be poor feeding for horses due to water, mold, fungus etc. and because the horses will trample it as they pull it out the feeder. Be careful of cattle feeders. Foals can get legs and heads caught in them, even adult horses can put their hoof through and get caught. Check the design carefully.

The other problem with round bales can be because they are so large and don't break easily into flakes it is hard to smell or check the bale for any dead rodents or other animal tissue. This poses a real risk of botulism to your horse. When you cut a field of hay you might run over a fawn, rabbits, birds, snakes, rodents and a myriad of other critters. While turkey buzzards, coyotes and foxes may be around to pick off the dead matter from the windrows, round bales are often baled with much larger windrows which means the dead animal parts may not be seen and pulled out before baling. They most certainly won't smell significantly enough for detection for a handler to notice, if baled in the center of a round bale. When small bales are handled individually, they go through many hands. The farmer and his help will notice an off smelling bale and discard it. If you or your help pull small bales apart to feed, the flakes will fall and separate ( or should do if it is good hay properly cured), and you will soon detect any poor smell or visual surprises.  The risks of large rounds is the same for the larger square bales.

6. Hay That Gets Wet

Hay that gets wet on the field may be dried and baled and many farmers do this. The nutrition of the hay will be diminished to some extent which will make it a poorer product though these bales are still very suitable for cattle and pig feeding. The color of the hay will not be as green, and may be quite brown. Personally we never bale hay that gets wet for use with our horses, we simply mulch it back in. This does not mean that it is a bad thing to do, it is just we don't want to use an inferior product for our horses.

7. Time of Cutting/Types of Grass  and Know the Provenance

For highest 'sweetness' the perfect time to cut hay is around 10 a.m. If you don't want the sugars up in the stalk, then you cut it late in the day. This may be relevant if you run a horse rescue and have horses that are not used to richness in hay where it might make them sick, or for horses suffering from Cushings or other metabolic disorders.  Just as when you shop for your own food, you hopefully are aware of its provenance as much as possible, it pays to apply the same rule for your horse hay. If your hay dealer delivers you weedy hay, hay that is brown, hay that is dusty, hay that is of poor quality in general, then find another source.

There are many types of grasses, timothy, orchard etc. clovers, and legume grasses such as alfalfa and more. That is a topic for a whole article. Generally a mixed grass bale will work best for most horses. A high performance racehorse may benefit from alfalfa or mixed alfalfa. Baling and cutting alfalfa is a whole other topic too.

I hope this article has helped you with your horses' hay. There are a lot of resources out there to further advise you and with the internet many options for supply. Just remember. If you are throwing hay away because of poor quality you will not be saving money because you found a cheap product price. Find a good source and stick with it. A farmer values regular customers and it is a win/win situation as he will always supply his regular customers as a priority in times of shortage.

Coming soon. New York Horse Park.

I am very excited at the thought of having our own 'horse park' in New York. Fairly naturally Saratoga is the chosen venue and I just received my invite to attend the 1st Annual Event Texas BBQ at the Saratoga Winery on August 12th, 2012 from October Hill Farm. Delightful.

Years back we used to regularly show in Saratoga at the Memorial Day Weekend CDI and despite the track being very deep footing for the horses we enjoyed the times spent there immensely. We even went on to sponsor classes and advertise our farm in the program to show our support. I am a big believer in not just talking but putting your words into action. Whether it be by dollar support or volunteering time and effort. It can be a win/win situation for everyone.

I love the idea of a horse park here on our doorstep and hope that everyone will step up and support the idea to bring it to fruition. It's so easy to sit back, criticize and become one of the peanut gallery and let everyone else bring things along or even worse make every effort to cause friction and not cohesion. Be a team player. Yesterday I was chatting with a friend who is on the board of a local (ish) art group. Like me he volunteers his time. In his case to help get the performing arts and art in general off the ground in the region. Sadly, as is so often the case, even though he works hard and is doing what he does for free, there are others who just want to either hijack the association and its goals and play political football behind the scenes and cast negativity where none is deserved. I sincerely hope that while the Horse Park of NY is presumably going to include a lot of commercial activity, that the folks that are working for it do not receive the same attitude or hindrances.

Whenever you do anything there will always be naysayers. There will always be people more concerned with their own angle or agenda than the benefits for all and the greater good. Sometimes I guess it's just jealousy, sometimes ignorance and sometimes fear. This "Horse Park' will be a boost to everything equestrian in New York and if we could just get the NY Congress to pass the Equine Inherent Risk Law ( see the news page at CatskillHorse.org to connect with your representative and ask them to support it, it only takes a minute), we would really be making headway in the right direction.

Horse farms help conserve the farm land that we love in the Catskill region. They save it from development, they maintain it for folks to enjoy riding over and they bring jobs to the area. I recall twelve years ago when we moved from Dutchess County to the Catskills, we had so many complete strangers come up the driveway to ask us if we were going to keep the property as farmland. They were so relieved to receive an affirmative answer. When areas develop from 'sad to lose but happens, dairy farms,'  to horse farms at least the land remains free of tract housing, deer and wildlife are free to roam and the area maintains its beauty.  The support services required for horse farms are numerous and everyone benefits.  The central horse park idea can only help local equestrians by providing a venue where people will come from far and wide to attend events.

So I urge everyone to get busy and get involved. And next time you attend an event remember to thank the volunteers that helped make it happen. Many of us work hard at full time jobs in addition to providing service to the community and for all those of you who volunteer doing anything. Bravo. I urge you to take no notice of those that choose to demoralize or interfere, to KBO as Winston would say ( Keep Buggering On, pardon the language, his not mine).  We need people like you to selflessly donate time, effort and funds to help the community.

 If I get the chance I'll be at the BBQ and hope to become more involved with helping this horse park as things get going. Look for a report at CatskillHorse.org later in the summer.

Catskill Horse. Can We Be Free? Share Your Thoughts.

Catskill Horse has a simple goal - to bring all things equine and equestrian together to help develop equestrian lifestyle and businesses in the region. We really want to keep everything free - but without filing as a Non for Profit Organization, we are not eligible for grants. Well - if you know of any, please let us know.

The question of filing as a non-profit is a difficult one to answer. Without engaging some fairly expensive legal and accounting advice, it is not simple to do. And if we fund that there is no guarantee of grant applications being approved. Plus then we'll need to engage accountants for year end returns and all the rest.

So for now we are offering limited advertising for the banner and sidebars. Please email us for advertising rates if you are interested. Directory listed members will get a 10% discount off the package rates. This is designed to help fund the printing of the final directory.

We pledge that directory business listings will always be free. As businesses underwrite the directory with their advertising dollars, we hope you will support them. Otherwise, the funding will quite simply, dry up.

And in the meantime can you please invite your friends to send us their listings? We have nowhere near enough yet to merit the publishing in hard copy. We'd also love to hear more of your events, but you do need to email them to info@CatskillHorse.org. They will not be published from facebook or twitter because they must be submitted for accountability and accuracy.

Come sell your used tack, horse equipment and list horses for sale.  It's free and they run for 30 days.
We'll renew the posts if you ask us.

Today marked a landmark as our first 'official' press release went out.

And please don't forget - if you call someone on the directory or from the sale pages please tell them you saw them in Catskill Horse! Spread the word.

Have a great weekend everyone. Don't know about you but I have some serious schooling and farm work to get done.

Horse Photos and Copyright Issues

Recently a local photographer explained that she wouldn't like to share any photos with us at Catskill Horse because she never gives copyright release on her photos. That sparked a discussion in the office regarding the use of photos on websites and on social media and the ever growing difficulty of protecting copyright content of not just photos, but articles and writings too.

Recently I was working with a publisher re Amazon and e-publishing. When you read the 20 page or so Amazon contract you note that it specifically states that Amazon can make a minor edit change to your work(s) and then consider it their copyright. Furthermore, they state copyright of all future works of the author are also their entitlement. Obviously you will have filed a copyright of the finished work with the copyright office, but this is no guarantee.  I wonder just how many folks go down this road and discover later that this clause, which obviously won't be taken up unless your work is a success, is detrimental to any chance of you gaining royalties and new publisher activity including movie making. Be warned. Needless to say I wouldn't sign over those rights as part of the larger contract with the publisher and we negotiated a different verbiage. The best way (is apparently) to make sure you have you work in hard print and naturally copyright filed, and submit it then as a hard copy to Amazon.  Later you can offer an e-book version if you want to do so.
This is not legal advice, just my understanding. Check with counsel first.

The issues regarding photography are just as difficult. If you post low resolution images on the internet then supposedly no-one will bother using them because they won't print well. But with today's technology I'm not so sure. Enhancement does wonderful things and you can still play with the original image and make it your own. Meantime your images lack clarity and viewers will be less impressed with your authority in the lens.

If you are a professional photographer and are being paid for the shoot, then watermarking, adding copyright notice and only allowing non-commercial use is an option. However, never providing a copyright release to a website or publisher or entity for a specific use is a little short sighted. What about when you started out and when you were given your photo credit in return for the free press of your work? That was a great start up help. Unless you are David Bailey or Susan Stickle or Terri Miller or Mary Phelps, I am not sure that you are famous enough to overlook this kind of support and coverage or indeed will ever be noticed. Everyone has a camera and technology allows even the poorest of talent to dress up their images.

I must confess that as a professional photographer myself I have had issues over the years with copyright and been upset when folks have used my images without permission. I usually respectfully ask if they will add photo credit at a minimum or remove the commercial use of the image and sometimes they do so and sometimes not. The websites that offer photo bucket style uploads are usually very good about removing them at your request. But it is not easy to find your images if they have been usurped. Especially if they have been downloaded and printed even with watermarking. Some software allows locking of images, but it's pretty easy to snap shot it.

As a fine artist I find it is a similar issue. While I like to maintain the original painting and offer prints, as soon as they go up for sale on a website you simply cannot control who will download them. Where my images have been used in calendars over the years, I know that people have bought the calendar and told me they are going to frame the page. This I choose to take as a compliment. Of course I'd rather they buy the original but at least someone is enjoying my work and showcasing it in their home or office.

Racing Respite Oil on Canvas Nikki Alvin-Smith

So the dilemma continues. Over the years I have learned that there is little point in being paranoid about the use of the images I create - well, within reason. If I am submitting images for a competition, or on social media I realize I am not going to be able to protect their use. Instead, I choose to share my work. When I do a photo shoot especially at a showground I always offer at least one free image for each rider and I try to shoot every rider. I also add candid shots and often find those are the ones that the rider will spring for first. When I started out I would shoot film ( way more expensive back then), and print and send the rider shots I had taken for free. This led to some serious support for me over time. So I encourage start up photographers to look at this type of PR for themselves especially now as digital is so cheap and easy to share via email.

Just so everyone knows ( and it is posted on the website), any photos submitted to Catskill Horse are assumed copyright released for the purpose of the site, and if for a competition/contest rights copyright release is granted to Catskill Horse for their use as they see fit, this is a requirement of entry and the image will be used for promotion and PR release world wide thereafter. This release doe snot transfer all rights to the photo or image. The photographer retains the rights to use the photo wherever. It simply means that the photographer grants Catskill Horse the rights to use the photo on the site and for promotional purposes. The terms and conditions page of the website will further clarify this point. Photo credit is always given. Naturally Catskill Horse will never post a photo that is copyright marked. If your photo taken on private property, please be sure you have a model release from the participants.If you submit a photo then having the permission of the participants to use their image is your responsibility.

There is a wonderful contest going on right now at CatskillHorse.org where you can garner credit for your photo ability and for just sharing a photo of you and your horse - you can win the super book from Quarter Horse expert Lesli Groves on Horse Photography. So go enter. Who knows, for the copyright release on one photo you could enjoy much more in free press and PR than the one time fee you could charge for the image - given of course your photo is selected as the winner. This photo contest is designed for both the amateur and pro photographer. Share your horse passion.

And don't forget, Catskill Horse is looking for images to accompany your business listing too.Adding an image will help your business stand out.

Horse Show Days Check Lists

The key to a smooth show season is planning and that is just where I am at right now. Soon enough it'll be time to wing my way across the pond and start my intense training with Greta in preparation for a few FEI Grand Prix shows that I'll be doing later in the season. Packing to head abroad is a little different - especially on the paperwork side, but the principles for a good show day are the same. I am very fortunate to have a great groom to help me and a super support team that has been doing this longer than even I have - certainly more regularly.


Show Gear

Must haves for me include an easy to open/access garment bag with my name and address etc. for my shadbelly/or show jacket, blouse, a couple of high tech cool T-shirts ( I like Horze & FITS & Werth ), stock ties, pins. I like all my luggage to match just because it is easier to locate 'yours' then, and I like all the luggage to have an inside and outside label. For security I don't place my street address on the outside, just my name and cell number and an emergency contact.

A boot bag for my various spurs ( I take a few types with leather straps of course), cool tech thin socks ( a number of pairs ) and show boots which is where I stuff the socks, plus a tidy up grooming mit for dust cleaning just before hitting the ring. I have my dressage whips in a special bag and it attached to the side of the boot bag. I have been known to enter the ring carrying the whip ( which means elimination ). Believe me that only happens to you once.

Buy one with a divider between the boots so they don't constantly bang into one another en route.  I put a little shoe clean kit in with my grooming kit. I love my boot bag because it has a handle on both the top and the side, so I can carry it sideways. It's easier. I pack two pairs of show gloves in here too.

Then a hat box for the all important head gear. Kudos to Isabell Werth for leading the challenge with the fancy gold riding helmet. I opt for wearing a 'real' riding helmet except for the actual ring time. Hair nets and ties, a small hair gel ( that the airline won't mind size wise) that I use on my own hair and my horse's braids to calm the frizzies. I also add a lip salve and lipstick. My hat box has a mirror in the lid which is useful. I also stuff a bucket  hat or sun visor in here to wear between classes on the ground.

My saddle, with two girths, two sets of leathers and one set of irons is packed in an easy to access saddle bag and I also put at least one saddle pad and half sheepskin non slip here too.

A bridle bag is a must. In here I like the ones with compartments and I take a double and snaffle plus bits.

If that is not enough I have a another tote bag. I like the ones of wheels ( like this one above) because I can't carry everything from A to B otherwise, and in here go two pairs at least of show breeches ( white stain so quickly) a training mac or trench coat for the downpour that will arise for sure if you don't have one handy.  Mine is a great riding mac and covers the saddle too but is light and easy to wear. Plus all relevant bounce stopping bras, seamless underwear ( I like the FITS capri underwear underneath white show breeches, very comfy). Also in this tote goes my jogging shoes ( not sandals, I value my feet), a nice pair of creaseless pants for the jog and a pretty horsey blouse also for the jog.  It's important that you look neat, tidy and practical when you are jogging up your horse for the vet check.
I have a scribe board and a few other goodies in here too including deodorant, small make up bag, girlie needs ( who hasn't had their period arrive early), sun tan lotion with a high protection. A red nose is not attractive and neither is cancer.  I also add a small camera that I can grab or pass to someone for a quick photo on the grounds. The video work and photo work in general I leave to the pros at the show.

There's the little things I like to take too - copies of all the tests I am riding, copies of all the entry paperwork, copies of everything. Plus emergency contact numbers for home and family. For these important documents I have a special wallet that fits everything neatly and I use it for my horse's paperwork too. Handy when you turn up for the jog.

As many of these things as possible are cleaned and returned to their location immediately following the show and I keep a check list in each bag so my groom can check me out too. It is so easy to forget.  I find it much easier to have 2 of most things and do it this way. It saves so much time. And I never leave my clothes and personal gear just to the groom. They are so hard to replace quickly and mistakes can be made. This way if I do forget something I am not having a tantrum with my groom at the start of the day. Which I'd like to say has never happened, but it has.

Showing adds pressure and so having personal knowledge that you have checked the list yourself helps - me anyway. The horse gear - well that's another story. Most of that I do leave to the groom. Double checking each other is always a good plan though and a good groom won't mind that. The hitch up of equipment I always double check myself, whether I am driving or not. I do a walk around. Major preparation of the equipment should have been done regularly and well before the hour.

What's Next

I'll leave the long list for your horse's other needs and transport checks for another blog.  I need to get on with some serious organizing.

Remember on your travels to take time out like I am in the photo here, to spend some time in the country you are visiting having some non horsey time. This was taken of me in Lisbon one year, at the top of the famous St. Justa lift. The views were spectacular and being a photographer I really loved that. A campari and soda before lunch - well - I deserved it. The last ten feet you exit the 'lift' and clamber up a small spiral staircase that is on the outside of the building. As I don't like heights that had me pausing a few times to spare the vertigo, so the drink was needed.

Safe travels.