Brigita's Blog: July 2007

I was judging stadium jumping at a local unrecognized event.  A non-profit organization, Helping Hooves Equine Rescue, Inc., had a table set up to get word out about their cause.  Let me tell you a little about them.

Helping Hooves Equine Rescue is run by all volunteers.  They are one of many rescue orgnizations that help rehabilitate neglected and abused horses that have been placed in their care.  They also have a mission to educate the public to stop horse abuse.  Some own horses and have no knowledge about horse care and therefore need to know what to do with their equine friends.  Horses need attention and TLC like any cat or dog.  Just because they are large animals and, yes, some are wild, they cannot just be left out in the field to fend for themselves.  We need to check on them to make sure they are healthy and injury free.  Horses are very friendly animals and most enjoy being being in our company (grooming, hand grazing, riding, etc.). 

There are many ways the public can help the equine rescue organizations.  They can help by:

• Becoming a member of the organization to join their cause
• Making a donation  Donations go toward recovering the cost to save horses that have been rescued and placed in their care.  Material donations are also accepted, such as blankets, grain, hay, bedding, etc.
• Volunteering  There are many different volunteer jobs you can do to help.  Any amount of time you can give is appreciated.
• Adopting  Why not help by giving a rescued horse a second chance.  They can give you years of pleasure.
• Sponsoring a Horse  If you are unable to adopt, you can still help by sponsoring a horse.  All money is spent on helping that horse.  Sponsors are encouraged to visit their sponsored horses (at set times). 

If you love horses, but you cannot own one for one reason or another, consider doing any of the above mentioned ways of helping the equine rescue organizations.  It is a worthy cause and you can still spend time with horses without the expense of owning one.

You just bought your first horse and you will be boarding him at a public stable.  Or, you will be taking your horse to your first 3 day Event and he will be stalled for a few days.  What information is needed for the horse in case of an emergency?  What kind of paperwork is needed?  There are a number of things that either the owner of the boarding stable or the show staff will need to know about your horse in case anything should happen.

In both instances, a copy of a recent, negative Coggins will be needed.  A Coggins test is done once a year to make sure that the horse does not have Equine Infectious Anemia (better known as EIA or Swamp Fever).  In addition to that, if the horse is going over state lines, it will most likely need a Veterinary Certificate from within the past 30 days or so, stating that the horse is healthy and that it is up to date with current vaccinations.  (Each state requires different vaccinations.  So, check with your veterinarian as to which ones are needed for your destination.) 

At a show, each stall normally has a stall card on the door so the information is readily available in an emergency.  The following information is needed on the card:

1. Horse's name, age and sex
2. Horse's color and description, including the markings. 
3. Breed
4. Vices (if any)
5. Allergies (if any)
6. Name of Owner and phone number
7. Name of Insurance Company (if horse is insured) with the policy number and phone number of the company
8. VERY IMPORTANT  Vitals need to be included (pulse, respiration, temperature) and include any other comments about the horses health
9. Rider's name and entry number should be on there, and where they are staying, including the phone number
10. Chaperone's name and number should be included if the rider is a minor
11. Veterinarian's name and number
12. Farrier's name and number

All of the above information is important for the boarding stable owner to have also.  Photos may be included on the stall card to help identify your equine friend.

Make sure this information is available to the necessary staff.  You will never know when a life or death situation will arise when you are not around.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

Let's say a prospect calls you and tells you that they are looking for horse property with a 3BR, 2 bath home on 8 acres with a barn within $xxx,000 - $xxx,000 price range within a certain area.    Wouldn't it be something to be able to answer them right away with a couple of places that match their criteria and actually tell them a little about the places - IMMEDIATELY?  I have found a great way to impress prospects and clients.  It is to be informed and prepared.

What I do every morning is go through the "new listings" and "back on the market" listings on the MLS.  I also check the "pendings" and "solds".  I make a mental note (or write down somewhere) of the price, area and some basic information.  When I get the phone call from someone looking for a specific property, I am at least prepared to tell them right away whether or not I have anything matching their criteria. 

Another good thing to do is when you go on a showing, prepare yourself beforehand with as much information about the home and/or property as possible.  This will WOW the buyer.  If you notice, many buyers prefer asking you the questions rather than looking on the report you printed out for them.  Asking is easier than trying to find the information on a sheet of paper.  If you are unable to answer a question, tell them you will check on it and get back to them with the answer. 

People want answers right away these days.  The best way to do that is to be prepared ahead of time. This is a good way to ensure that you will get future repeat business and referrals.

When searching for property for horses, you must first know what you need to look for.  Some seem to be under the impression that just because the property has acreage, that it is suitable for horses.  Not so. There are many factors that come into play.  Here is a list of what to look for.  If I miss any points, feel free to comment and I will add it to my post.

1. Decide what area you would are considering.  Once you have narrowed down the list, check with zoning in those areas as to what the requirements are to keep horses.  Zoning varies in every township.  One area may require 10 acres or more to keep horses.  Another may say 1 1/2 acres per horse or you may only keep 3 horses if under 10 acres.  If keeping more than 3 horses, they consider it a business and would need more than 10 acres.  So, check with zoning first to be sure it fits into your plans.
2. Make sure the property in large enough for what you want to do.  If you just want  to have the horses in your backyard, then you may only need a few acres for a barn, turnout and pasture.  If you are planning to grow hay to supply your horses, you will of course need more acreage.  Considering a boarding stable?   Ample space will be needed to build a large barn to house the horses, have pastures to turn the horses out, plus, a large enough area to place a riding arena and an indoor arena (if that's in your plans).  Areas to keep horse trailers may be needed, also.
3. Is the acreage rocky?  Horses can slip or trip on rocks while running and playing, and may get hurt.  Stone bruises are possible also in these areas.  (One thing you don't need are more vet bills.)  If the property has potential, then the rocks will need to be removed from the turnout areas.
4. Is the area flat, or is it a mountainside?  Horses are turned out for exercise.  A flat or a sloped & hilly area is ideal for turn out and riding.  Hills and slopes are good to build a horses muscles.  If the fenced area is the side of a mountain, depending on the steepness, the horses will not be able to do much as far as running and playing.  The side of a mountain would work if you are considering endurance riding.
5. Is the area swampy or in a flood zone?  One thing you don't want to do is have horses stand in wet areas constantly.  It is not good for their feet.  Plus, have you ever tried to muck out a muddy area?  It is very difficult and the wheelbarrow tends to weigh a ton.  (Some of you probably know what I mean.)  If it is a flood zone, I don't think you want your horses floating downstream. 
6. Is the property all woods?  This can be doable, if you are willing to clear the woods out enough for the horses to have some clearing.  The trees would be a perfect shelter from the elements.
7. Do the pastures and turnouts have "groundhog holes"?  If there are groundhog holes in the pastures, it will take a lot to get rid of the pesky critters.  If there is a family living in the area, it will take a while to rid them.  You definitely do not want holes where your horses are.  They can step into one while running and injure themselves, even break a leg.  I have personally gone the route of trying to rid the groundhogs and it is no easy job.
8. Are there weeds in the pastures or is there good grass for grazing?  Weeds and horses are not a good combination.  In this case the pastures may need to be redone.  Some weeds are poisonous to horses, so you need to be careful as to what is in the pastures.
9. Is the barn sturdy and in good repair to house the horses?  The barn and stable need to be in good condition to house the horses.  If it is not, it will not hold your horses, not to mention one good storm and it can come down and possibly hurt the animals.
10. The field should be free and clear of obstacles and debris.  Horses are a lot like children.  If they can get hurt and into things, they will.  Therefore, everywhere the horse goes, the area must be free of obstacles.

These are the basics you should look for when you are looking for horse properties.  You want to be sure it is safe and right for your needs.  Once this is all in place, go enjoy your horses.

Have you gone to a horse show and seen some riders very active on the horse, almost as though they are fighting with the horse, and the horse didn't seem to listen?  And then you have those riders that sit so still atop the horse and barely move and the horse just moves along happily doing what the rider asks.  Have you noticed how beautiful and noble the horse and rider look when they are working together as one?  It seems like the horse is just reading the rider's mind.  It looks so easy, but it's not.  It takes years to get to that point. 

I am an artistic type of person.  I am not very athletic at all.  Some of you may disagree with me, but riding is a form of art.  Not everyone is able to do it.  To me, riding is more enjoyable when your horse is happy and not fighting you every step of the way.  If you just use light touches to cue him, he will gladly do as you ask.  (Horses by nature like to please.)  If he is being kicked all the time, jerked with the reins on the mouth, and constantly bounced on his back, he will try to avoid the punishment and try to get away.  It can get ugly and dangerous.  Put yourself in the horses place.  Would you like it if you were constantly hit, kicked and yanked?  I didn't think so.  Then why do riders still do this and say they enjoy riding?  I personally don't understand.

It is such a pleasure watching the Lipizzaner Stallions, from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, perform.  I have not seen a single horse in their performances resist the rider or handler.  They work together as a team.

To get to this point, it takes years of training.  You have to have your basics first.  Riding on the longe line is the first step in learning to get your balance and teaching your muscles to quietly cue the horse.  You have to admit, if you don't have your balance to stay on the horse though all the moves, you will end up on the ground more than being on the horse.  That doesn't sound like fun to me.  After mastering the lessons on the longe, then you can start riding using the basics on your own.  Believe me, it's not that easy.  I started riding over 30 years ago, and I am still learning.  You should never stop learning.  There's always something new to learn.

I have a 17 year old Thoroughbred Gelding I ride.  We got him as a 7 year old and green.  He knew walk, trot canter, and when you get to a fence, jump.  He is very sensitive and will accept gentle aids.  To turn, you just have to shift your weight and, voila, he turns in the direction you want him to.  No pulling on the reins.  Now that is what I call a pleasurable ride.  He is like that all around.  Eveyone that has ridden him, love him.

Those of you that ride, doesn't that sound like a great horse?  Working as a team is what it is all about.  If the horse is happy, he will do anything for you.   

Is it just me or has anybody else noticed that the people moving from the cities to the developments in the rural areas are saying that they live in the country?  Or better yet, in the "boonies"?  Personally, I don't think they know the definition of the "country" or the "boonies".

I live in a small town, or what used to be a small town, in Eastern Pennsylvania.  Over the last 10 years we have had major development in the area.  Many developments, industrial parks and malls going up everywhere and roads getting congested.  When I moved here over 30 years ago (oh, oh!  I'm showing my age), there was farmland and open space everywhere outside of town.  There was maybe a small development here and there, but it was mostly farmland.  (This was one of the reasons I liked the area.)  Granted, it wasn't the boonies, but open space was what I was after, so that I can ride my horses without any worries.  Riding on well traveled roads is not exactly my favorite thing to do.  Somehow, traffic and horses don't seem to mix.

I owned a 10 acre farm in the area.  I had enough property for my home, horses, pastures and a hay field to harvest for my horses.  The neighboring farmers allowed me to ride on their properties as long as I did not disturb their crops.  It was great!  I was able to ride through the fields.  If I really wanted to, I could ride right into town just by riding through fields and back roads.  After being born and raised in a big city, this was a dream come true.  Slowly, the development started and the New Yorkers and Jersyites (people from NJ) came and started buying real estate here because taxes and prices were cheaper than where they lived.  Even the members of the local Board of Supervisors and Zoning Board consisted of mostly "city folk". 

The old "shed" my horses were living in was on it's last leg.  In all honesty, I wasn't sure how it was still standing.  Anyway, since there were underground springs on a portion of the pasture, I was limited as to where I was able to build a barn.  The ideal spot to build it was about 15 feet closer to the neighboring residences than what zoning stated.  Of course, we had to go for a hearing to get a variance.  To make a long story short, our neighbors showed up at the hearing and said that "the smell from the horses will be too strong if the barn is built there".  Do you really think 15 feet is going to make a big difference??  Needless to say, the Board turned us down.  They said we were able to put the barn where the springs were.  We would just have to reroute the water.  The couple of farmers that were on the board did try to help us in any way they could, but their hands were tied because they were not the majority.  Let me ask you this, now.  If I am unable to house my horses on 10 acres, where am I supposed to put them?  I thought this was the country.  Of course, the neighbors that showed up at the hearing are the ones that bring their children and grandchildren down to see the horses.  Now isn't that something.

The city people should stop converting the countryside and small towns into cities with their development.  If they are going to move into the country, then let's keep the open space and farm animals where they belong.  There are plenty of vacant homes in the towns and rural areas that we don't have to keep building new construction.  You can always update and add onto the older homes.  They certainly are built to last a long, long time.