 Added 3-21-05
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Shopping for a Safe, Comfortable Used Horse Trailer
Keep your horse's safety and comfort in mind as you shop for a used trailer.
By Laurie Bonner
A trailer doesn't have to be new to be comfortable. |
Many older trailers on the road today were built before important research was done on how to keep
horses healthy and comfortable in transit. As you evaluate used trailers, consider these design features intended to meet
horses' physical and physiological needs:
Ample room for a secure stance. A horse needs room to spread his
feet to hold his balance in a moving trailer. Dividers that do not go all the way to the floor beside or in front of the horse
allow more room for a wider stance.
Plenty of fresh air. The interior of a trailer is one of the dustiest environments
a horse is likely to encounter, but proper airflow from front to back helps keep the dust moving out. Be sure your trailer
has at least one vent opening in the nose and preferably along the sides as well as in the rear.
Room to lower his head. Even a properly
ventilated trailer will contain some dust, so to keep his airways clear a horse needs to be able to drop his nose below his
chest. Avoid older trailers that may have built-in mangers or tack storage areas located under the horses' noses.
A
light interior. To a prey animal, there's not much that's quite as scary as being led into a dark cave. Features such
as light colors, interior lights, ample windows and doors at the front all help horses see into trailers, so loading is easier
and the occupants can be more relaxed in transit.
No protruding objects. Tie rings, window latches or other
hardware that protrudes into the areas the horses occupy can cause injuries. Look for tie rings that lie flat when not in
use.
Screens. Open windows and doors allow plenty of ventilation, but screens can keep out flying debris, such
as litter, kicked-up gravel, bees and even lit cigarettes.
Breakaway features. Easy access in an emergency
is crucial, and horses can get stuck in amazing positions. Look for emergency-release pins on dividers, bars and posts that
can be operated quickly despite pressure from any direction. Welded-in center posts can become obstructions in an emergency,
especially if the trailer overturns. Look for models without them or with removable ones. |
Added 3-14-05
Chips and Brands: Horse Theft Deterrent
Horse thieves may think twice if your horse is branded or has a microchip. Here are the ins and outs of these
two identification options.
By Jennifer Corkery
The microchip is smaller than a grain of rice and can be inserted with a hypodermic needle. |
Horse theft may be associated with the Old West, but unfortunately, modern-day horse theft is a reality. The most common
reason for stealing horses is quick cash, and any horse--even those that aren't expensive breeding stock or show horses--can
hold value to a thief in a speedy sale. Today, two methods of identifying horses can help in preventing their theft
and recovering them if they are stolen. Microchips implanted under the skin have now been around for several years, while
branding has been used for hundreds of years, and both serve a purpose for today's horse owner. MicrochipsMicrochip
technology has improved through the past two decades to offer chips the size of an uncooked grain of rice that are easy to
implant and safe for the horse throughout his life. The tiny computer chips each contain a unique identification number that
can be read by a scanner through radio frequency signals; those numbers are registered to the animal's owner at the time of
microchipping.
Injecting a microchip is simple enough that any horse owner comfortable with giving inter-muscular
antibiotic or vaccination injections should have no trouble with the procedure. However, rules vary from state to state, with
some states working toward making microchip injection legal by veterinarians only. The chip is small enough to fit into a
hypodermic needle, and is injected on the left side of the horse's neck, halfway between the poll and withers, into the ligament
about an inch below the base of the mane. The cost of an individual chip ranges from $15 to $25. Most veterinarians
charge $20 to $30 to implant a microchip. No sedation is required. One of the U.S. manufacturers of microchips is AVID
(American Veterinary Identification Devices). It guarantees its chips for the life of the animal. The company also makes scanners
that read either only AVID chips or that read chips by several other makers. In the attempt to create a chip that a
horse's body wouldn't react to or reject as a foreign object, the industry stumbled into the problem of migration. Inert materials
that were biocompatible to the horse's body were so successful that early microchips could actually migrate through his tissue. That
problem led to the advent of a patented anti-migration cap, Bio-Bond by Destron-Fearing (now Digital Angel Corporation), a
company that also manufactures microchips and scanners. Dr. Kevin Owen, retired veterinarian and owner of microchip product
distributor Electronic ID, Inc., says, "Scientific studies show that scar tissue starts to adhere to the Bio-Bond anchor within
18 hours, anchoring the chip in place." According to AVID, when properly implanted, a small layer of connective tissue
forms around the microchip, preventing it from moving. The biggest improvement to the microchip procedure was actually a simple
one. The injection site was changed from under the skin on the side of the neck to the nuchal ligament under the mane. This
standardized site stops migration by the nature of the density of the tissue.
The scanner reads the microchip and displays a unique identification number that can help track a
stolen horse.
| Working out a SystemThe Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
Association's new national horse identification program (HIP) plans to make microchip kits available to horse owners, but
is waiting for the microchip industry to sort out compatibility issues. "The situation is a little like the videotape industry
in the beginning, before the VHS format became dominant over Beta," says Todd McCartney, HIP director. McCartney sees
HIP as the ideal central database to store microchip numbers. "We can provide a home for that data as a neutral law enforcement
agency, and chips are excellent for providing positive identification." The HIP provides members with alert signs indicating
that horses are electronically protected. "Electronically protected means only that a horse is enrolled in our computer system
at this point, but a thief may think he's being tracked," McCartney says. The tracking capacity isn't currently an option
because the chips would need a power source. Microchip implants merely respond and give a number to a reader. Microchip
manufacturers, such as AVID, also provide signs warning that horses on the premises are identified by microchips. AVID Equine
has also distributed scanners that are able to read any chip commonly used in U.S. horses, regardless of manufacturer, to
all USDA slaughter facilities. Brand Eye-dentification"Microchips are great for positive identification
if a horse is found," says Debi Metcalfe, founder of Stolen Horse International, Inc. "However, they're invisible to
the eye and require a scanning device, usually only in the possession of veterinarians, animal control officers and slaughter
plant officials. A freeze brand, preferably on your horse's shoulder or rump, can not only help track and identify a horse,
but actually act as a deterrent, whereas the invisible microchip won't." Some states require brand registration to
avoid duplicating someone else's. Brands that are easy for the general public to identify, such as universal symbols or letters,
can greatly aid in the search for a stolen horse. "Non-horse people may have trouble recognizing a bay horse with a
snip and a sock," explains Metcalfe, "but they can easily identify what they know of as a brown horse with a white heart on
his shoulder. Freeze branding is not only one of the best deterrents, but administered by a professional for $35 to $60, one
of the least expensive."
Added 3-7-2005
Western Horse Show Fashion Clinic
1: Introduction
In this introduction, we discuss some why, how, and how much issues of building a Western horse show wardrobe.
Then continue reading for tips on selecting belts, show pants, vests, chaps and more. By Suzanne
Drnec
This introduction begins a year-long series designed to help you create a winning wardrobe for western show events. We'll
evaluate the main elements head-to-toe that make up your western show wardrobe, and discuss hints and visual tricks to help
create the look you need in today's tough show competition. With these ideas in mind, you can assess both your horse and yourself
to decide what elements in your present wardrobe to keep and what to update. No one knows better than yourself what you like,
so remember that my suggestions are just that--nothing is written in stone, except in the rule book!
WHY?
It's important to understand the rules, both written and unwritten, of what I call the horse show game.
You're being judged on your impression in the show arena, and it's vitally important that you overlook no detail in either
your performance or your turnout. You must not only have your horse schooled and groomed to perfection, but you must also
look like a winner--coordinating your attire and your horse's tack to flatter your strong points and minimize your weaknesses,
with your presentation being both legal and appropriate for both the class and level of competition. Remember:
- Your equipment must satisfy the rules of the association or club you show with- become familiar with your rule book and
don't lose a prize because you 'didn't know.'
- Since you're being judged on how you look as well as how you perform, there's no sense in not looking your best. Wisely
planning a good show wardrobe will not only help you make a good impression, but will also give you an extra bit of confidence
each time you enter the arena, and save you time and aggravation in the long run.
HOW MUCH?
Not a million-dollar question, fortunately. Putting together a good western show wardrobe shouldn't
cost a mint if you plan carefully and always buy the best quality that you can afford. Spend your money where it shows--in
the show ring--and consider economizing somewhere less visible: perhaps a less opulent hotel at the horse show, or a truck
that merely pulls your horse trailer rather than creating a sensation as it barrels down the road--you're being judged in
the show pen, not the parking lot.
For a new rider with no wardrobe, plan on investing close to $1,000 initially for chaps, hat, show blanket, and assorted
clothes for a quality western wardrobe suitable for showing competitively at local and regional level shows. Remember that
quality basics will last for years and also have excellent resale value. Good show clothing is not an expense, it's an investment
in your success.
Consider this: if you show once a month for 4 years, the difference between a terrific $1,000 wardrobe and an average-at-best
$500 bunch of clothes is about $10 per show. Isn't it worth the extra 10 bucks to look like a winner?
Next part > Color & Style > Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Writing or riding, Suzanne Drnec enjoys horses and their people. Drnec is president of Hobby Horse Clothing Company, a show apparel manufacturer, and also the caretaker of an assortment of lawn ornaments including a Paint, a Quarter Horse,
and an antique Arabian.
Added 2-28-2005
Which of Your Horse's Legs is Lame?
In most cases, pinpointing lameness in your horse's legs isn't difficult if you follow these steps.
By Dr. Karen Hayes and Sue Copeland
Performance horses (like this athletic reiner) can be at risk for injury. Careful attention
to soreness and pinpointing lameness early on can keep a minor injury from flaring into a long lay-off.
Photo by Darrell Dodds |
What you're looking for:
- Head-bob: Your horse's head bobs UP when a sore forelimb hits the ground. His head bobs DOWN when a sore hindlimb
hits the ground. (Tip: A head-bob is easiest to see when your horse is trotted toward you. As a general rule, the more pronounced
the bob, the more severe the pain.)
- Hip-hike or hip-drop: The hip on one side raises HIGHER and or/sinks LOWER than the other side. (Tip: This is easiest
to see when your horse is trotted away from you. Make it more visible by sticking a piece of white adhesive tape on each hip
to give your eye a reference point.)
- Toe-drag: The toe of the affected hind limb drags the ground on the forward swing.
- Shortened stride: The stride on one leg is shorter than the stride on the other legs.
Now, locate the
lame leg:Follow these steps. Call your veterinarian if you observe any sign of injury or lameness in Steps 1, 2 or
3. If you still can't ferret out the lameness, call your vet for help. Step 1. Examine your horse's legs and
feet for external evidence of injury.
- Stand him squarely on solid, level ground, then visually examine each leg and coronary band for bumps, swellings, wounds,
discharges or other such problems.
- Feel each hoof for excess heat, then check the strength of your horse's digital pulse (using the thumb and middle fingers
of your right hind, feel behind and on either side of his lower fetlock--above the sesamoid area--with your palm on the front
and fingers rapped toward the back until you feel a faint pulse.)
- Pick up, clean and examine each foot for nails, cracks, bruises or other abnormalities. Note any resistance, which could
indicate pain in another foot, hence his reluctance to increase the load there.
Step 2. Watch your horse trot
a straight line. Lameness that's barely perceptible at the walk can become more evident at the trot.
- Find a flat, smooth surface with solid footing.
- Recruit a helper. Give her a crop or whip, if necessary, to help get your horse trotting in-hand.
- Have your helper trot the horse on a straight line away from you, for about 50 feet, loosely holding the lead so as not
to inhibit a head-bob. Then have the pair trot toward you, then past you, so you can view the horse from the front and side.
Repeat
the exercise two to three times. If you still can't identify the lame leg(s), one of three things could be happening: 1.
Your horse may be too lame, fresh or uncomfortable to cooperate. 2. The lameness is bilateral or too subtle to show up
on a straight line. 3. There is no lameness. Step 3. Longe your horse. Have your helper longe the horse in
both directions, gradually tightening the circle. Or have your helper trot him in circles in-hand. As a general rule, the
tighter the circle, the more pronounced the lameness. Still can't see the problem's origin? Call your vet. This article
is excerpted from the book Hands-On Senior Horse Care by Karen Hayes, DVM, MS, and Sue Copeland.
Added 2-21-05
Is Your Horse At Risk for West Nile Virus?
Researchers look at what makes horses more susceptible to the worst effects of West Nile virus.
By Christine Barakat
One study found that mares were more likely to succumb to West Nile virus. |
Since West Nile virus (WNV) was first identified in North America in 1999, researchers have worked hard to determine
how it affects horses. Now a study of two 2002 outbreaks of WNV-related disease offers intriguing clues to which horses are
most susceptible to the worst effects of the mosquito-borne virus. WNV infection usually causes little or no illness,
but in rare cases it triggers a life-threatening swelling of the brain. Since 1999, more than 21,000 horses have become ill
as a result of WNV infection, and an estimated 7,000 have died. However, incidence of WNV disease has declined dramatically
since a vaccine, West Nile Innovator, was introduced in 2001. A second WNV vaccine, Recombitek, became available in 2004.
For their study, researchers at Colorado State University worked with state department of
agriculture officials in conducting telephone interviews with the owners of horses in Nebraska and Colorado who had confirmed
cases of WNV-related illness. The owners were asked to describe their horses' clinical signs and vaccination status, as well
as their general farm-management practices, such as mosquito-control measures. Information was gathered on 484 horses,
137 of which (28.4 percent) died or were euthanatized as a result of WNV infection. The resulting data revealed that
an infected horse's prognosis may depend on several factors:
- Initial signs: Horses who were so weakened by their illness that they were unable to rise were 78 times more likely
to die than were animals who never lost the ability to stand.
- Gender: Mares were nearly three times more likely to succumb than were geldings or stallions.
- Vaccination status: Unvaccinated horses were twice as likely to die than were animals that had received at least
one WNV inoculation before becoming ill.
- Age: Older horses were at a greater risk of mortality than were younger animals.
These findings leave
many questions unanswered, says Tricia Salazar, DVM, who worked on the project, but they demonstrate the potential severity
of WNV-related illness. "For that reason, protective measures are extremely important," Salazar says. "We recommend
vaccination against WNV, as well as mosquito mitigation practices." This article originally appeared in the November
2004 issue of EQUUS magazine.
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