New Product from Barns by Harrahs, Corning California

Video introducing the Product line.

We are now Manufacturing Mare Motels, Shelters and Pipe Corrals right on the premises.
Material is high tensile 1 7/8 fully Galvanized Steel, supports are all cut and coped with full 360 degree Weld.

Easy to transport to your Ranch and Self-Install.
Our qualified, Licensed Crew are also available for Installation

Learn more by Visiting our Lens
http://squidoo.com/barns4u
530-798-0245

Part 1 How To Fit and use the Fiador Throatlatch with your Bosal and Mecate

Another very Informative Video presented by John Brand of Buckaroo Leather.

Visit John's always exciting Blog http://buckarooleather.info

John shows us in three parts the various styles and methods of using the Vaquero Style Fiador Throatlatch with your Rawhide Bosal and Mecate.

Using the traditional training methods perfected by the Californio Vaquero tradition usually assure a well balanced and Level headed Horse, by the time they are ready for the bridle.

The video were produced in the Affordable, Safe and Maintenance Free Barn provided by Dave Harrah of Barns By Harrahs, the Largest West Coast Blue Ribbon Barn dealer

Innovative Horse Products from Western States Horse Expo, June 2009, Continuous Steel Pipe Fencing

Safe and Affordable Horse Fencing is always a concern for the serious Horseman. This unique fencing system was introduced at the 2009 Western States Horse Expo, by Keith Johnston, owner of Tri-County Fence, located in Corning California.

This system allow quality Fencing for so many terrain and elevation situations. Galvanized steel materials and easy installation makes this unique Product a Viable Fencing Alternative for Safe Horse Confinement.

Give Keith a call

530-567-5720

Part 4, A Visit to Buckaroo Leather, Stitching and Finishing with Oils and Waxes

This Fourth in a series of a wonderful visit Shirley and I experienced at Buckaroo Leather and John Brand in Diamond Springs, California. Check out John's Video on http://youtube.com/buckaroojohn for more of the visit.

We have been using Quality USA Raised Leather Tack form Buckaroo Leather for 25 years.

Composting for "Health and Wealth" of Your Horse Facility

The following article is from a good friend and associate, Peter Moon. Peter has perfected a Compost system system to be efficiently used for a Small "backyard Horse Operation" to a "Racetrack" size Facility.

Contact Peter at this site and Mention Chuck Bartok in your Inquiry and be
eligible for a nice DISCOUNT

Contact Peter
Peter Moon : Many years ago, I was involved with an agricultural waste management study conducted by King County, Washington. This study had several objectives - to estimate the:

• Number of horses in the county;
• Types, quantities and characteristics of bedding used;
• Volume of waste generated;
• Methods employed to manage this waste; and
• Nature and magnitude of environmental impact that resulted from these practices.

At first glance, this seemed to me to be a relatively straight-forward study, however, it quickly became apparent that the answers were illusive and not forthcoming. Several methods were employed to determine the answers, including an extensive telephone survey of horse owners, a windshield survey in known horse communities, and direct sampling and laboratory testing of manure piles where permission to access the pile was (seldom) granted.

In the end, the results were very fuzzy with an estimated 30,000 horses in scattered areas throughout the county, mostly bedded on shavings (with a growing awareness of wood pellets as an alternative) and with manure mostly "piled out back". While the environmental impact was difficult to measure, it became clear that virtually every watershed in the county was adversely impacted by nutrients originating on horse farms (i.e. non-point source pollution).

This study brought to my attention a critical need in the equine community, and from this was borne the early concept for the O2Compost Training Program. The Training Program took roughly 10 years to conceive, develop, test and refine, and many people were directly and indirectly involved in this process. Historically, the O2Compost Training Program has been conducted remotely on a one-on-one basis. Now we are pursuing our vision to conduct group training programs at host facilities around the country.

What brings all of this to mind is a study conducted by the American Horse Council that estimates the total number of horses in the United States to be approximately 9.2 million. How this number was determined is anyone's guess, but let's - for the purpose of this discussion - assume that it is reasonably accurate. Given that one horse produces roughly one cubic yard of manure each and every month, it stands to reason that the total volume of manure produced in the United States is on the order of 9 million cubic yards per month. And this does not include the volume of bedding which can easily double or triple the total volume of manure depending on the type of bedding used.

Aside: For those not familiar with the "cubic yard" as a unit of measure, it is equal to a cube that is 3 feet wide by 3 feet long and 3 feet high. One cubic yard equals 27 cubic feet. A standard pickup truck will hold 2 cubic yards if mounded.

Now, I find a volume of 9 million cubic yards hard to imagine in real terms, so I did some research and learned that the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, would hold over 84 million gallons of water if filled to the brim. Given that there are approximately 200 gallons in a cubic yard, you could fill the Rose Bowl roughly 22 times with horse manure each month, or 265 times a year. Another way to look at this: if a year's worth of horse manure were to be stacked vertically on a football field, from end zone to end zone and sideline to sideline, the pile would stand 10 miles high - that's higher than commercial airliners fly. Now I think you'll agree, that's a LOT of manure.

Add to that the amount of bedding used and you can begin to see the order of magnitude of the problem - or opportunity - that we face. This volume of manure also represents a tremendous quantity of nutrients that can either be mismanaged and allowed to impact our fresh water resources and aquatic wildlife, or properly managed and utilized in a wide array of applications that help heal the earth.

The message that I am trying to leave you with is this:

Each of us impacts the world we live in, either negatively or positively.

This is especially true for those of us who own horses and other livestock. Properly managing horse manure is our responsibility! The impact from horse manure can be negative if we disregard our responsibilities to the earth. Alternatively, the impact can be positive and financially rewarding if we view manure as a resource and an opportunity. Composting is easy when you know what you are doing and with the O2Compost Training Program, your success is guaranteed.

Composting, in my opinion, is the most effective and profitable means to properly manage horse manure, to support sustainable agriculture, and to leave the world a better place for the generations that will follow ours.

I invite you to begin composting - to be a part of the solution.

Take Action!

Herbal Remedies for Horse Respiratory Diseases

A Unique Herbal Treatment For Equine Respiratory Disease
By Jean Hofve, DVM

Sport and performance horses are extremely susceptible to lung disease. Even seemingly healthy horses are frequently affected. Studies have shown that 90-100% of sport horses tested have evidence of damage to their airways that can lead to Equine Reactive Airway Disease (RAD, also called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD)--a serious and career-ending condition. The first (and often only) early sign is decreased performance.

Herbs can be a safe, effective way to both prevent and treat Equine RAD/COPD. In fact, many herbs would help with some of the symptoms of this disease. For instance, Yarrow is often used for upper respiratory complaints.

Properties of the ideal herb for preventing and treating RAD/COPD would include:



Antioxidant, to reduce inflammation-causing molecules in the body that contribute to asthma

Antifungal, to inhibit mold particles that commonly cause respiratory disease in horses

Immune-modulating, to decrease the over-reactive immune response to allergens

Anti-inflammatory, to protect the lungs from the harmful effects of chronic inflammation

Free from heavy metal contamination, to prevent toxic build-up

Contain no substance prohibited by equine sports regulatory bodies such as USEF or racing commissions

Funtumia elastica is a medium-sized African rubber tree; its bark has a long history of use for respiratory complaints. Funtumia has important antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. It has no known toxicity, and is not barred by any equine sport governing body.

Natural compounds found in Funtumia include:

Anthocyanins: plant pigments that give berries their color (such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries). Anthocyanins have been called "the mother lode in a gold mine of antioxidants." Anthocyanins have shown specific benefit in reducing immune-stimulated inflammation, and are thought to be valuable in preventing the development of asthma.

Flavonoids: Vitamin C is the most familiar member of this class of plant-derived antioxidant compounds. Flavonoids are useful in both preventing and treating COPD, asthma, and other chronic lung diseases.

Plant sterols: natural plant steroids are safer than synthetic steroid drugs like prednisone and dexamethasone. Phytosterols have immuno-modulating effects--normalizing an over-reactive antibody response--as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Natural anti-fungals: Funtumia specifically inhibits growth of many molds, including Aspergillus, which is commonly associated with equine respiratory disease.

Tannins: These compounds have shown promise in the treatment of allergic inflammation and asthma.

Funtumia has demonstrated excellent safety (low toxicity) in multiple laboratory experiments, and has tested negative for heavy metals including cadmium, zinc, lead, chromium, and nickel. It does not contain any substances that are prohibited by any equine sport authority.

Preventing equine respiratory disease is easier---and smarter---than trying to treat established disease. Excellent hygiene, clean feeds, fresh air, and preventive herbal therapy could make all the difference for your horse.

Dr. Jean Hofve is a retired holistic veterinarian with a special interest in horses and respiratory disease. She formulated Equinabine, a high-potency Funtumia product
( http://www.equinawellness.com). Dr. Hofve also founded Spirit Essences Holistic Remedies for Animals ( http://www.spiritessence.com) in 1995; and it remains the only line of flower essence formulas designed by a veterinarian. She is a certified Medicine Woman of the Nemenhah Native American Traditional Organization who uses holistic remedies as a part of body-mind-spiritual healing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Hofve,_DVM http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Unique-Herbal-Treatment-For-Equine-Respiratory-Disease&id=2119721

Why Have a Horse?

Spending most of my Adult life involved in the Horse Industry and have the privilege of owning some Fantastic Horse, one thing has always bothered me.

Many "horse lovers" never take the time to realize the responsibility of assuming the Care Control and Custody of Large Prey Animal ...THE HORSE

Photo courtesy of http://columbiariverimages.com

Horse Ownership is a huge responsibility, but offers great Rewards

Announcing up to 32 Horse Shows a year a have seen almost every scenario...
One most common is the Rider's inability to understand the "necessity of Give and Take"
when handling an Equine.

The folowing article brings out some very important ideas to be considered before you make that very Decision to be an Owner or maybe consider changing some habits to more enjoy your HORSE today
Why Have A Horse
Why Have A Horse?

By Cindee Grimes

I have met so many people during my life that had horses. The first type of people I met was when I was a young girl and my father owned race horses. I can't really remember any of them actually loving the horse. The actual animal. They loved what the horse could do for them regarding making them money, if they won the race that is. If the horse was a winner it was treated ok. It wasn't given much human attention other than training. Remember this is the part I saw, I am sure there are some owners and trainers in the 'bigger' winners that had more of hands on and I read of some owners that said they truly loved their race horses, the ones that owned the big winners.

The point being is the horse is not just an animal to be used and then to get rid of. I cannot believe how many people I have met through the years that want a 'quarter' horse. I am not talking about the breed quarter horse, I am talking about the wooden horse you put a quarter in, ride for a few minutes and it doesn't buck, bite, rear, spook, or do anything humans would call 'bad'. How could it, it is made out of wood or plastic or whatever this mechanical horse is made of. It isn't a living, breathing, emotional feeling animal.

However, that is what some of these so called 'horse people' need to buy because they complain about their horse doing what a horse does, or they complain just about all horses.

A horse is a horse of course, of course!! Even these so called trainers who have been around horses, trained horses, yada, yada, yada, since they have been 'born'!! And still don't know anything about the horse!! I have been to so many clinics, I have almost gone broke buying training videos to see what else someone has come up with and my own horse almost lost her life because of a 'trainer' that has 'grown up and been around horses and showed and trained all her life'.

Well be careful of these kind of trainers. When you can get a horse to do what you want without any bit, saddle, and of course without all those other gadgets (martingale, tie downs etc.) then your talking 'natural horsemanship'

Go to a trainer who uses love and patience not bits and binders and that hurry up and get that first ride today attitude!

We do live in a fast food society and fast everything society, and it is going into the way we train our animals and children for that matter and with that kind of training you will only get a short-term result and you will wonder what happened thinking "well I trained him, what happened?"

I won't even get into the people that won't even train Arabian horses because they say they don't think, they are just crazy. How sad are those people! Well if you just want something to get on and ride it into the ground, please go have a robot made into a horse!
Now, if you want a journey that will lead to a joyful and meaningful and fulfilling relationship then get a horse as there is nothing like it.

This saying is true but I changed it a bit: the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a caring person.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindee_Grimes

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Have-A-Horse?&id=1955302

Some Good Reading to Help Understand