Showing posts with label Blog Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Series. Show all posts

February 15, 2013

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: First Aid & Health

Liniment

Poultice
Kool Out Clay - Hands down the fastest working poultice I've ever seen.

Wound Care
Betadine Surgical Scrub - There are a lot of betadine washes but stick to the original...
Vetericyn - Haven't used but heard good things.

Leg Care
ColdFlex Vet Wrap - Love this stuff
DMSO - Another no brainer to have. BUT if you can find the roll on bottle, get it - so much easier to work with!
Fura-Free - Same sweat application without a cancer causing ingredient! Can be use for non sweat things... but I've always used it to sweat legs.

Hoof Care
Hooflex Thrush Remedy - Good preventative of thrush.
EZ Ice Hoof - Don't have it, but now that I've seen it, I want it and it seems like a good thing to have ready.

First Aid Tools
3M Vetrap - No brainer... the other brands flat out suck.
Utility Bandage Scissors
Digital Vet Thermometer - Waiting for non digital sucks too.
SureGrip Syringe - Love the grip thingy.
Oral Meds Syringe
Stable Tote - I keep all my first aid / health stuff in this. 
Box of randoms - QTips, Toothpicks, Epsom Salts, Flashlight, scalpel (extreme emergencies obviously), needles and syringes of different sizes, pill crusher, safety pins, gloves, rubbing alcohol, peroxide, twitch, plastic wrap, pile of old newspaper for poultice, etc.
Posted by at 4 comments:
Labels: ,

January 25, 2013

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Grain

It's my firm belief that the quality of what you put into your horse determines what you get out of him. No not in the form of what you have to shovel outta stalls daily, I mean performance. Once cannot expect optimal performance if you never evaluate your horses nutrition requirements. Being the obsessed person I am over reading nutrient labels on anything that goes into my horse, this will be a list of grains that pass my OCD and mean I would personally feed them to my horses or any horse in my care. I have not tried all of these myself, but all have been used by a trusted person I know and I've studied up on all of them...

  • In my opinion this is the best 'Economy' line of grain you can find. I say economy lightly because if I had a Southern States anywhere near me, I'd be feeding it.
  • Controlled Carbohydrate Technology.
  • Organic minerals.
  • Vitamin E, Selenium and Biotin.
  • Encourages a forage first diet.
  • Tries to educate horse owners on nutrition.
  • Good variety of feeds for different needs.
Nutrition Pyramid Used by ADM
  • Over 100 years of production.
  • Fixed formulas
  • Wide variety of products.
  • Own supplement and treat line.

  • Equine care products.
  • Supplement line.
  • Starch and carbohydrate awareness.
  • Signature, Specialty, Ultra, etc feeds for best fit for your horse.
  • Consistency and quality.
  • Highly palatable to the horses.
  • Own supplement line.
  • Corn free choices.
  • Minerals supplements.
  • If you can get it, it's amazing.
  • Super fresh.
  • Horses love the taste.
  • Saved best for last... my favorite!
  • Knowledgeable representatives.
  • Scholarship programs for young riders.
  • Revolutionary formulations, Premium Ingredients and EquiMix® Technology.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

January 18, 2013

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Equipment

Lead Ropes & Halters
Spurs
Accessories
Whips & Crops
Lunging Equipment
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: ,

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Stable

Stall Supplies
Insect Control
Feed Room
Travel & Trailering
Tack Room

General
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

December 28, 2012

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Grooming

Might include random tips at the end. Most of us have our favorite tools to use and grooming is pretty standard so this is going to be more for the oddities I've found in grooming that I love and work for me.

Brushes & Tools
  • Slick n Easy - I've used these things ever since I got Dakota. I recently learned a lot of my horse friends have never used one. Great for getting that extra bit of rain rot out or getting out difficult loose hair and dirt.
  • Hoof Brush - I have two of these per horse. I have one I've designated for hoof use and a second I've designated for leg use. They're great on winter muddy legs. I've found regular hard brushes to be a pain. This is small enough you can be more thorough on the legs.
  • Horze Softgrip Brushes - If you're a fan on synthetic / non wooden backed brushes these are great. Especially if you can find yourself a 50% code for the website, you can't beat the price.
 Totes
  • Roma Tote - Lots of pockets and room to hold all tools.
  • Clipper Bag - Love mine - I feel need for more clippers so I can buy more bags.
Shampoo
There are a few other brands that can't be found with online stores. There is one in particular I plan to try in 2013 at least for pre show use.
Conditioner
 Clippers
 Coat Care
Mane & Tail
Hoof Care
  • Riders Rasp
  • Hoof Polish - If you're going to use a polish... use this one, the other ones are more likely to dry out hooves.
Other
Tips
  •  Corn Starch - use on white legs for showing.
  • Don't use spray on conditioner and shine products on a chestnut coat before a show. Use natural oils from your hands and rub down coat. Looks much more natural.
  • Coconut oil - My new number 1 way to condition mane and tails. Leaves hair super soft and easy to work with.
Part of my new brushes I bought for Echo.

Next I'll be reviewing "Apparel" - From show to schooling.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

December 14, 2012

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Supplements

Calming
  • Finish Line Thia-Cal
  • Calm and Cool - Great product but it test positive for showing.
  • Mare Magic - The miracle supplement. Love. Love. Love. Dakota had to be taken off of it because it worked too well. Plus it doesn't test!
  • SmartCalm - I've used the Regular and the Ultra version of this. They now make it in pellet form too which is nice. Worked really well when I used it.
  • Calm and Cool Paste - Favorite one time use calmer.
  • Finish Line Quia-Cal - Favorite non testing one time use calmer.
Electrolytes
Hoof
  • SmartHoof - The only hoof supplement I've ever personally seen results from. I've used all forms of Regular or Ultra, Powder or Pellet. Improved hoof quality, growth, basically everything!
Joint / Tendon
  • SmartTLC - If you couldn't tell yet, I love SmartPak supplements. I'm sure all of the products in the SmartFlex line are great but the TLC is what I've tried out on Dakota as a prevenative mostly and to help keep existing problems from getting worse.
  • AniMed MSM - My favorite MSM to use.
  • AniFlex Complete - Dakota didn't really like eating this one. Smells strong of yeast, but still have to include it because 1) I tried it for nearly a year 2) I noticed -some- improvement and it would be great as a prevenative for the price.
  • Liquid Motion - Switched to this when Dakota stopped eating the AniFlex Complete. I noticed better results with this one.
  • Cosequin ASU - If you have th emoney to spend, go for a Cosequin product. I've never personally used it, but I've seen it work miracles on horses.
  • SmartTendon - I'm pretty sure this is one of those supplements that is controversial. Surely no supplement could really help tendons. Well I know one horse that always bows a tendon if he's not on this one. When Dakota bowed his tendon and was off over a year, I gave this to him starting 3 months after the injury and fed it for 6 months. I noticed significant tendon improvement in that time.
Multi-Vitamin / Multi-Mineral
Ulcer / Digestion
  • ProCMC - Used this a long time ago on a whacked out thoroughbred. He was definitely improved when he was on this.
  • U-7 - By far my favorite!! One of my previous horses was on this and her coat improved, behavior, etc. We tried taking her off and she deteriorated almost immediately. Worth every single penny.
  • SmartGut - Haven't tried it but would be willing to give it a go based on reviews and the fact I trust SmartPak supplements.
Skin / Coat
  • SmartDark & Hansom - SmartPak version of Dark as Knight, which I prefer. Keeps dark coats dark! But sadly it test in drug testing.
  • SmartShine
  • The oils listed below always help too!
Energy / Blood Builders
  • Red Cell - Can add energy to a horse, but I've noticed a good difference at same time every time I've used it.
Oils
Treats
My supplement chaos that I have previously gone into detail about.

Next I'll be reviewing "Grooming" - perfect timing for winter mud!
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

December 7, 2012

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Blankets

We kick off my new Friday mini series with a popular topic for this time of year, blankets! I've had some awful experiences with horse apparel and some equally great. Here are the great ones, most I've had personal experience with or have seen them in action among my closest horse friends.

Turnouts - Sheet, Mid and Heavy Weight
  • StormShield NEW BRITION - SOOO excited that Schneiders came out with a new line of this blanket. I was bummed when the others went on closeout and crossed my fingers it meant a new one was coming. Cannot wait to get my hands on this one. 
  • DuraTech Viking II - Haven't tried this one yet myself but at that price and at 1200D it's worth a shot.
  • StormShield EXTREME - Horse Journal's pick of 2012 and at 1680D it's an unbeatable price. Plus a 2 year guarantee! 
  • StormShield CLASSIC EURO - I can't tell you how many of these I have bought. I love them. Great color choices and holds up will at 1200D.
  • SmartPak Ultimate Ballistic Nylon Turnout Blanket - A 10 YEAR guarantee on a blanket?! I'm thinking whoever came up with this idea is both brilliant and insane. There are some horses I'd love to put this blanket on and let them give it a true test run. I'm thinking this is going to be my blanket of choice for Echo once I know I'll be able to consistently blanket her.
  • Riders International - I know many people that like these blankets. I have yet to try them myself. For their price and at 1200D, I always end up on a Schneiders blanket.
Stable Sheets
  • Centaur Basics Stable Sheet - Love this sheet. Dakota has had one for 3+ years with very little wear and tear on it. They also make same sheet in solid colors for your plaid haters.
  • Baker - Of course you have to include a Baker. Who doesn't love Baker?
Stable Blankets
  • Masta Stable Rugs - Hard to find in the United States but I managed to snatch one when I worked for State Line Tack and it's held up amazing, I can't tell you how many times I've washed the thing either! Dakota stays nice and warm with it.
  • Riders International - Good all round Stable Blanket.
  • Schneiders Stable Blankets
Liners
Coolers
Fly Sheets & Accessories
Other
Dakota sporting his Schneider's New Briton blanket!

 Next Friday I'll be reviewing "Supplements" - one of my favorite topics!
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

December 4, 2012

Blog Mini Series

Winter is upon us as we turned the calendar to December this week. I fully admit as it gets colder and colder, my spare time is less likely spent in the barn. I'm sure I won't be working with Echo 3-4 times a week like I want once she's healthy enough to be worked. I want to keep writing post so this is part of my way to take up that missing time.

All 'series' will be 8, 12 or 16 weeks long. If this works out and people seem to like it, I may find things to continue with.

Schedule
December - February: These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things - I've been going through all of my horse stuff since I found out I was getting Echo, trying to reorganize for 2 horses. It the process I found a lot of things that I had a "Ick that needs to be thrown away" or "I love this" reaction too. So this series is my way of sharing the good reactions. From everything from tack to supplements and apparel to first aid.

March - June: Echo's Stallion Selections - What mare owner doesn't love browsing stallions to potentially breed your mare(s) to? These will be my top picks for everything from Thoroughbreds to warmbloods and sporthorses.

August - September: Under the Influence - More favorite things, but this time it will be more industry wide and along the lines of "these are the top 10 racehorses that have influenced me..." or top riders, trainers, etc.

Future Ideas - Comments or Suggestions Needed! These could be a weekly / bi-weekly / monthly post. I don't want anything more frequent than weekly for fear it'd take away too much time from post about Echo and her training.
- Industry Trends - Economy, Legislation Passing, etc could be covered here. Whether it be racing, eventing, dressage, etc.
- Organization Spotlight - Equine organizations I've come across in my years as a horse owner that I feel actually do good for the horse world and ones I've seen actual results from.
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)