Water, Your Horse, and the Winter
As winter arrives in colder climates, you may notice your horse drinking less water.
Drinking less water can create real problems for horses. They need on average 10 to 12 gallons a day to wash everything through their digestive system. If this isn't happening, a bad colic or impaction can result.
So it's up to you to keep an eye on how much water your horses consume each day. Be on the lookout for signs of dehydration. Manure covered with mucus is a common sign. You can also do the little "skin pinch" test.” Pinch the skin on the shoulder so it folds between your fingers, and then let the skin go. On a hydrated horse, the skin will bounce back immediately. If it takes a few seconds for this to happen, your horse needs to drink more.
So, the age- old question comes back to haunt us: Can you lead a horse to water and make him drink?
One suggestion is to add a small amount of salt to your horse's feed, which may encourage him to drink after dining. (Strangely enough, I've often witnessed my horse licking away at his salt lick right after eating his grain. His salt lick is located right next to his bucket.)
One of the reasons horses drink less in the winter is because the water temperature becomes colder. Horses don't care for cold water. The obvious solution to this problem is to provide them with warm water, but beware. Creatures of habit that they are, they may become suspicious if their formally cool water is now given to them warm. This may turn them off to drinking the water and defeat the purpose you were trying to achieve.
To avoid this, don't heat the water too much. (For example, don't present water that has steam rising from it.) If your horse has a problem with drinking warmer water, play around with the temperatures until you find one that's acceptable.
If possible, invest in heated water buckets and/or tank heaters, which will help stop buckets from freezing. For outside troughs, try insulating them by setting them into the ground, rather than at ground level.
Water is essential to your horse's health, so taking steps to make sure he's drinking enough is worth your while, especially when you consider what could happen if he doesn't.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Double D, the Internet, and how it Benefits You
Double D, the Internet, and how it Benefits You
I often struggle to remember what life was like before the Internet. Do you remember what it was like?
Especially if you wanted to buy something. Your options were to go to a store or shop from a catalog. But those choices presented their own problems. For instance, what if the store wasn’t local to where you lived, but it had the item that you wanted?
Well, you could hop in your car and drive a great distance or you could call the store and purchase the merchandise over the phone and have it shipped to you.
Catalog shopping was similar to this method. You’d flip through the catalog and see something you liked. Then, you could either fill out the order form and mail it (that is, snail mail), or you could call the cataloger and order it over the phone.
Then, the Internet came along and everything changed.
Suddenly, you had global access to goods and services everywhere. And this was an advantage to both consumers and sellers.
And there was one other advantage to consumers that came about from this connectivity. The ability to reach out to other consumers who had purchased goods and get their feedback. People just like you, who had nothing vested in the product other than they needed it and wanted the most bang for their buck.
So what does this all have to do with Double D Trailers? Plenty!
Now, if you’re shopping for a horse trailer, you’re not restricted to your local dealer. You can do business with us whether you’re ten miles down the street or across the country.
Also, if you need to find out how other Double D customers feel about their trailer and their buying experience, you can go to Google and do a search and arrive at a Web site like this one, which is a forum at The Chronicle of the Horse. Here, you can read what actual buyers had to say about Double D horse trailers.
When you decide it’s time to buy a horse trailer, we’d love to hear from you.
I often struggle to remember what life was like before the Internet. Do you remember what it was like?
Especially if you wanted to buy something. Your options were to go to a store or shop from a catalog. But those choices presented their own problems. For instance, what if the store wasn’t local to where you lived, but it had the item that you wanted?
Well, you could hop in your car and drive a great distance or you could call the store and purchase the merchandise over the phone and have it shipped to you.
Catalog shopping was similar to this method. You’d flip through the catalog and see something you liked. Then, you could either fill out the order form and mail it (that is, snail mail), or you could call the cataloger and order it over the phone.
Then, the Internet came along and everything changed.
Suddenly, you had global access to goods and services everywhere. And this was an advantage to both consumers and sellers.
And there was one other advantage to consumers that came about from this connectivity. The ability to reach out to other consumers who had purchased goods and get their feedback. People just like you, who had nothing vested in the product other than they needed it and wanted the most bang for their buck.
So what does this all have to do with Double D Trailers? Plenty!
Now, if you’re shopping for a horse trailer, you’re not restricted to your local dealer. You can do business with us whether you’re ten miles down the street or across the country.
Also, if you need to find out how other Double D customers feel about their trailer and their buying experience, you can go to Google and do a search and arrive at a Web site like this one, which is a forum at The Chronicle of the Horse. Here, you can read what actual buyers had to say about Double D horse trailers.
When you decide it’s time to buy a horse trailer, we’d love to hear from you.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Identifying and Treating Thrush
Identifying and Treating Thrush
Thrush is an infection of the hoof that affects the frog and sulci (the grooves beside and in the middle of the frog.) The bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum is usually the culprit behind an outbreak.
When you think of a horse with thrush, you probably envision an unclean environment, like a muddy paddock with lots of manure. However, thrush can occur due to a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with the cleanliness of the horse’s immediate area. Factors such as bad trimming or shoeing or a lack of either can cause thrush to develop. Poor diet or insufficient exercise can also contribute. Horses with bad circulation are prone to thrush outbreaks as well.
Diagnosing thrush is rather straightforward. You only have to see the black, putty-like substance it produces and smell its foul odor once for it to make an impression on you. These two classic symptoms make thrush easily recognizable.
Thrush outbreaks can range from mild to severe. Many horses get it and remain sound. Others may become lame, which sometimes occurs if the bacteria invade the sensitive layers in the foot.
Treatment of thrush involves regular cleaning and medicating of the infected hoof. Milder cases require daily cleaning and picking of the hoof along with an application of a medicated thrush remedy. There are scores of these available on the market.
For more involved cases, you may need the assistance of your farrier for trimming away the dead, infected tissue. Again, clean and pick the affected hoof daily. Do this in a clean spot in your barn. After you’ve picked out the hoof, use a scrub brush and water to clean the hoof. Let it air dry for ten minutes or so, then apply the thrush medication. A popular homemade remedy is “sugardine,” which is a mixture of sugar and Betadine scrub (generically known as povidone iodine.) If the thrush is severe, you may want to pack the hoof with gauze soaked in the thrush medication.
The best way to prevent thrush is to pay attention to your horse’s feet. Pick them out daily and treat them immediately at the earliest signs. Work with your farrier and vet to make sure your horse’s hooves are as healthy as can be.
Thrush is an infection of the hoof that affects the frog and sulci (the grooves beside and in the middle of the frog.) The bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum is usually the culprit behind an outbreak.
When you think of a horse with thrush, you probably envision an unclean environment, like a muddy paddock with lots of manure. However, thrush can occur due to a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with the cleanliness of the horse’s immediate area. Factors such as bad trimming or shoeing or a lack of either can cause thrush to develop. Poor diet or insufficient exercise can also contribute. Horses with bad circulation are prone to thrush outbreaks as well.
Diagnosing thrush is rather straightforward. You only have to see the black, putty-like substance it produces and smell its foul odor once for it to make an impression on you. These two classic symptoms make thrush easily recognizable.
Thrush outbreaks can range from mild to severe. Many horses get it and remain sound. Others may become lame, which sometimes occurs if the bacteria invade the sensitive layers in the foot.
Treatment of thrush involves regular cleaning and medicating of the infected hoof. Milder cases require daily cleaning and picking of the hoof along with an application of a medicated thrush remedy. There are scores of these available on the market.
For more involved cases, you may need the assistance of your farrier for trimming away the dead, infected tissue. Again, clean and pick the affected hoof daily. Do this in a clean spot in your barn. After you’ve picked out the hoof, use a scrub brush and water to clean the hoof. Let it air dry for ten minutes or so, then apply the thrush medication. A popular homemade remedy is “sugardine,” which is a mixture of sugar and Betadine scrub (generically known as povidone iodine.) If the thrush is severe, you may want to pack the hoof with gauze soaked in the thrush medication.
The best way to prevent thrush is to pay attention to your horse’s feet. Pick them out daily and treat them immediately at the earliest signs. Work with your farrier and vet to make sure your horse’s hooves are as healthy as can be.
Friday, June 26, 2009
EquiSpirit Horse Trailers
EquiSpirit Horse Trailers Invests Into New Plant In North Carolina
Southern Pines, NC (June 24th, 2009). Tom and Neva Scheve, authors of horse trailer books, safety articles, and designers and developers of the popular safety inspired EquiSpirit line of horse trailers, have fulfilled a life long dream of bringing EquiSpirit’s manufacturing home to North Carolina. While EquiSpirit’s corporate and sales offices have been in North Carolina since 1996, all manufacturing has been in Central Wisconsin.
With the investment of Brad and Bartley Heath, owners of Double D Trailers Manufacturing and Premier Trailer, a new 50,000 square foot facility has been implemented in Kinston, North Carolina, that will house EquiSpirit production. “The new facility has given us more room to expand research and development so as to continue our commitment to improving horse trailer safety,” says Tom Scheve. “In an industry where little or no R&D is being done, Neva and I, along with the Heaths, feel strongly about the quest to reduce the risks of trailering horses. This new facility has been outfitted with the modern technology and equipment needed to begin the new era of EquiSpirits and to hopefully develop new innovation for the trailer industry in general.”
Over the years, the Scheves have introduced a number of designs into the horse trailer market that have become standards. One such model line was the first standard warm blood size trailer in 1988 called EquiSport – a straight load design that went to a wider axle and interior width, along with 7’8” height, and 11’ stall. In 1998, EquiSpirit was first to offer a 3 horse straight/diagonal trailer as a standard model called the SafeLoad to compete against the inherent flaws of stacking horses in slant load trailers. Two new models will be added to EquiSpirit’s line-up by the end of the year.
The Heaths, who started production of their Double D line in 1998, have had similar philosophies with the Scheves on how to market their products. Both had adopted the unique policy of selling direct (no dealers) since their inception. “Allowing customers to have a direct line to the company not only allows for superior service but provides a constant stream of feed back to improve safety,” says Neva, who has done most of the designing for EquiSpirit. “Brad and Bartley Heath know the value of direct selling, having established the same program with their Double D line.
The Heath’s and Scheves have also entwined a policy of being more “green” in their approach to manufacturing. “We are able to do this in many areas with our new plant,” says Bartley Heath. “To mention few, we have reduced and will eventually eliminate paints. We’re moving more and more away from welding by utilizing today’s superior adhesives and tapes, and we’re being more selective in choosing materials, making sure they are environmentally friendly.”
The timing is good, said the Scheves, stating that the new changes and innovations are being launched on the 2010 EquiSpirits and will be rolling out of production by the end of this month. To their credit, the Scheves and Heaths have also recently developed and currently manufacture EquiBreeze, a full line of stock combo trailers designed specifically for transporting horses safely. Many of the standard safety features on EquiSpirits have been installed in the EquiBreeze in order to offer a trailer that is strong, safe, and affordable.
For more information, contact Tom Scheve at tom@equispirit.com or Brad Heath at brad@doubledtrailers.com.
The Scheves are responsible for three books on horse trailering, including the Complete Guide To Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing A Horse Trailer. They write numerous articles and give national clinics that promote horse trailer safety, and have owned and developed EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. The Heaths have created the successful Double D full line of horse Trailers that they have sold world wide.
Southern Pines, NC (June 24th, 2009). Tom and Neva Scheve, authors of horse trailer books, safety articles, and designers and developers of the popular safety inspired EquiSpirit line of horse trailers, have fulfilled a life long dream of bringing EquiSpirit’s manufacturing home to North Carolina. While EquiSpirit’s corporate and sales offices have been in North Carolina since 1996, all manufacturing has been in Central Wisconsin.
With the investment of Brad and Bartley Heath, owners of Double D Trailers Manufacturing and Premier Trailer, a new 50,000 square foot facility has been implemented in Kinston, North Carolina, that will house EquiSpirit production. “The new facility has given us more room to expand research and development so as to continue our commitment to improving horse trailer safety,” says Tom Scheve. “In an industry where little or no R&D is being done, Neva and I, along with the Heaths, feel strongly about the quest to reduce the risks of trailering horses. This new facility has been outfitted with the modern technology and equipment needed to begin the new era of EquiSpirits and to hopefully develop new innovation for the trailer industry in general.”
Over the years, the Scheves have introduced a number of designs into the horse trailer market that have become standards. One such model line was the first standard warm blood size trailer in 1988 called EquiSport – a straight load design that went to a wider axle and interior width, along with 7’8” height, and 11’ stall. In 1998, EquiSpirit was first to offer a 3 horse straight/diagonal trailer as a standard model called the SafeLoad to compete against the inherent flaws of stacking horses in slant load trailers. Two new models will be added to EquiSpirit’s line-up by the end of the year.
The Heaths, who started production of their Double D line in 1998, have had similar philosophies with the Scheves on how to market their products. Both had adopted the unique policy of selling direct (no dealers) since their inception. “Allowing customers to have a direct line to the company not only allows for superior service but provides a constant stream of feed back to improve safety,” says Neva, who has done most of the designing for EquiSpirit. “Brad and Bartley Heath know the value of direct selling, having established the same program with their Double D line.
The Heath’s and Scheves have also entwined a policy of being more “green” in their approach to manufacturing. “We are able to do this in many areas with our new plant,” says Bartley Heath. “To mention few, we have reduced and will eventually eliminate paints. We’re moving more and more away from welding by utilizing today’s superior adhesives and tapes, and we’re being more selective in choosing materials, making sure they are environmentally friendly.”
The timing is good, said the Scheves, stating that the new changes and innovations are being launched on the 2010 EquiSpirits and will be rolling out of production by the end of this month. To their credit, the Scheves and Heaths have also recently developed and currently manufacture EquiBreeze, a full line of stock combo trailers designed specifically for transporting horses safely. Many of the standard safety features on EquiSpirits have been installed in the EquiBreeze in order to offer a trailer that is strong, safe, and affordable.
For more information, contact Tom Scheve at tom@equispirit.com or Brad Heath at brad@doubledtrailers.com.
The Scheves are responsible for three books on horse trailering, including the Complete Guide To Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing A Horse Trailer. They write numerous articles and give national clinics that promote horse trailer safety, and have owned and developed EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. The Heaths have created the successful Double D full line of horse Trailers that they have sold world wide.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How to Stop your Horse Trailer in an Emergency
How to Stop Your Horse Trailer in an Emergency
Probably the worst nightmare you could ever imagine would be having your horse trailer come unhitched from your vehicle. I know it’s an awful thought, but unfortunately, it can and does happen.
That’s why it’s so important to check the emergency breakaway system on your rig. When you service your trailer each year, this should be part of the checkup.
The emergency breakaway system consists of a breakaway brake (located on the coupler of the horse trailer), a battery, a removable pin, and a cable attached to the pin.
And how does this all work?
When you hook up, connect the emergency breakaway cable to the permanent part of the hitch on your vehicle. Don’t connect it to the removable ball mount.
Now, let’s say the unthinkable happens and your trailer pops off the hitch or the whole ball mount comes out (people have been known to forget to put the pin in.)
As the trailer and tow vehicle separate, the emergency breakaway cable is stretched to its limit and the removable pin pops out. This activates the trailer’s brakes and stops the trailer.
An important player in the breakaway system is the battery. You should test it regularly to be sure it is fully charged. Newer horse trailers often come equipped with a rechargeable battery.
Keep you and your horses safe on the road. Make sure your emergency breakaway system works.
Answer to last week’s trivia question:
So, did you guess which horse was the only one to be disqualified after winning the Kentucky Derby?
If you guessed Dancer’s Image, you were right! Congratulations!
Probably the worst nightmare you could ever imagine would be having your horse trailer come unhitched from your vehicle. I know it’s an awful thought, but unfortunately, it can and does happen.
That’s why it’s so important to check the emergency breakaway system on your rig. When you service your trailer each year, this should be part of the checkup.
The emergency breakaway system consists of a breakaway brake (located on the coupler of the horse trailer), a battery, a removable pin, and a cable attached to the pin.
And how does this all work?
When you hook up, connect the emergency breakaway cable to the permanent part of the hitch on your vehicle. Don’t connect it to the removable ball mount.
Now, let’s say the unthinkable happens and your trailer pops off the hitch or the whole ball mount comes out (people have been known to forget to put the pin in.)
As the trailer and tow vehicle separate, the emergency breakaway cable is stretched to its limit and the removable pin pops out. This activates the trailer’s brakes and stops the trailer.
An important player in the breakaway system is the battery. You should test it regularly to be sure it is fully charged. Newer horse trailers often come equipped with a rechargeable battery.
Keep you and your horses safe on the road. Make sure your emergency breakaway system works.
Answer to last week’s trivia question:
So, did you guess which horse was the only one to be disqualified after winning the Kentucky Derby?
If you guessed Dancer’s Image, you were right! Congratulations!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Co-Owning a Horse Trailer
Co-owning a Horse Trailer
Still pining away for that horse trailer? Convinced you’ll never be able to afford one now that the economy has taken a nosedive? Don’t despair, there’s still hope for you. Why not consider co-owning a horse trailer?
You’ve probably heard of people who’ve chipped in to buy and co-own a horse, thereby cutting ownership expenses in half. Well, the same type of arrangement is very doable with a horse trailer.
Like any big purchase, you need to do some homework first, so you won’t end up disappointed or worse. Equally important is the person you choose to co-own with. This person should have riding goals and desires similar to yours, which will make a joint purchase worthwhile for both of you. Before you begin shopping, both parties should hash out an agreement that spells out how you’ll share the trailer. Will you split the purchase price in half? Who will pay to register the trailer? How will annual maintenance costs be shared? and also put in writing how to fairly share the horse trailer.
I took a trip in a private charter plane recently and the pilot was explaining to me that the plane was his personal. He said the cost of the air plane was about $300,000, WOW! So I asked the pilot politely how did someone afford a $300,000 airplane? He said, he was actually one of five owners. They split the initial purchase and divided all of the maintenance cost. They also developed a calendar and it rotates every five weeks....
Still pining away for that horse trailer? Convinced you’ll never be able to afford one now that the economy has taken a nosedive? Don’t despair, there’s still hope for you. Why not consider co-owning a horse trailer?
You’ve probably heard of people who’ve chipped in to buy and co-own a horse, thereby cutting ownership expenses in half. Well, the same type of arrangement is very doable with a horse trailer.
Like any big purchase, you need to do some homework first, so you won’t end up disappointed or worse. Equally important is the person you choose to co-own with. This person should have riding goals and desires similar to yours, which will make a joint purchase worthwhile for both of you. Before you begin shopping, both parties should hash out an agreement that spells out how you’ll share the trailer. Will you split the purchase price in half? Who will pay to register the trailer? How will annual maintenance costs be shared? and also put in writing how to fairly share the horse trailer.
I took a trip in a private charter plane recently and the pilot was explaining to me that the plane was his personal. He said the cost of the air plane was about $300,000, WOW! So I asked the pilot politely how did someone afford a $300,000 airplane? He said, he was actually one of five owners. They split the initial purchase and divided all of the maintenance cost. They also developed a calendar and it rotates every five weeks....
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Horse Trivia....did you know?
Horse trivia…did you know?
· The average horse’s heart weighs around 9 – 10 lbs. However, two racehorses had hearts that exceeded the average. Phar Lap, the great New Zealand-bred runner, had a heart that weighed 14 lbs. and the last Thoroughbred to win the coveted Triple Crown, Secretariat, had a heart estimated to weigh 21 lbs.
· Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva per day.
· Horses cannot breathe through their mouths.
· Horses have a prehensile upper lip, which means adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something.
· A mule is a cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare.)
· A hinnie is a cross between a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny.)
· Horses can pass manure up to 14 times a day.
· Dancer’s Image is the only Thoroughbred to win the Kentucky Derby and then be disqualified.
· The horse that played “Mister Ed” on the popular television show was a palomino American Saddlebred gelding named Bamboo Harvester.
· The famous American thoroughbred, Seabiscuit, derived his name from his sire, Hard Tack. Hard Tack was named after the infamous food staple of the Civil War, hardtack - a dry, hard, biscuit.
· A very rare behavior seen in bands of broodmares is “foal-stealing.” A mare about to foal will “steal” another foal from a mare and immediately assume maternal duties. Once the thief mare gives birth, she rejects the stolen foal and unfortunately, the real mother doesn’t always accept her baby back. It’s theorized that hormones released just before birth make the nurturing need so strong in some mares that they can’t wait for their own foal to arrive.
· The average horse’s heart weighs around 9 – 10 lbs. However, two racehorses had hearts that exceeded the average. Phar Lap, the great New Zealand-bred runner, had a heart that weighed 14 lbs. and the last Thoroughbred to win the coveted Triple Crown, Secretariat, had a heart estimated to weigh 21 lbs.
· Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva per day.
· Horses cannot breathe through their mouths.
· Horses have a prehensile upper lip, which means adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something.
· A mule is a cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare.)
· A hinnie is a cross between a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny.)
· Horses can pass manure up to 14 times a day.
· Dancer’s Image is the only Thoroughbred to win the Kentucky Derby and then be disqualified.
· The horse that played “Mister Ed” on the popular television show was a palomino American Saddlebred gelding named Bamboo Harvester.
· The famous American thoroughbred, Seabiscuit, derived his name from his sire, Hard Tack. Hard Tack was named after the infamous food staple of the Civil War, hardtack - a dry, hard, biscuit.
· A very rare behavior seen in bands of broodmares is “foal-stealing.” A mare about to foal will “steal” another foal from a mare and immediately assume maternal duties. Once the thief mare gives birth, she rejects the stolen foal and unfortunately, the real mother doesn’t always accept her baby back. It’s theorized that hormones released just before birth make the nurturing need so strong in some mares that they can’t wait for their own foal to arrive.
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