Did You Know........
*There are approximately 75 million horses in the world.
*Arabian horses have 1 less rib, 1 less lumbar bone, and 1 or 2 less tail bones than other breeds.
*Horses sleep more in the summer than they do in the winter.
* An average horse's heart weighs about 9 lbs.
*Horses are able to drink between 8 and 14 gallons of water a day.
*A mare has 36 teeth while a stallion or gelding usually has between 40 and 44 teeth.
How To....
Make a mash. A mash is a mixture of grain, hot water, and sometimes, other ingredients. It's very nice for an older or ill horse, a horse with dental trouble, or as a warm treat for a healthy horse. A mash is easy to chew and digest and on a winter morning there's nothing better than something warm to eat! Bran mashes are no longer recommended for horses because the phosphorus in the bran prevents the horse's digestive system from absorbing calcium. You can use nearly any type of grain, although pellet feed absorbs water the best and softens easily. Start by placing your horse's normal feed ration in a bucket and add very hot water (2 parts grain to 1 part water to start with). Stir it up a bit and place a covering over the top. This is not a good job for wood. Wood absorbs steam and moisture so try to use plastic or rubber. After the mixture steams for five or ten minutes, remove the covering and test the temperature with your hand. Pour it into the horse's feeder and rinse the bucket (if you do not rinse it, the mix dries on like concrete and it's tough to get off). After you see if your horse likes the mash, you can try adding other ingredients like shredded carrots, a teaspoon of salt, apple slices, or molasses. Because wet feed spoils much more quickly than dry feed, if your horse has not eaten all of the mash within two hours, remove the feeder and wash it out. Good luck and happy eating!
A Letter From Your Horse
I received this in an email and thought it worth sharing. Enjoy! - Lisa
When you are tense, let me teach you to relax.
When you are short-tempered, let me teach you to be patient.
When you are short-sighted, let me teach you to see.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you to be thoughtful.
When you are angry, let me teach you to be serene.
When you feel superior, let me teach you humility.
When you are self absorbed, let me teach you to think of greater things.
When you are arrogant, let me teach you respect.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion.
When you are tired, let me carry the load.
After all, I am your horse, your friend.
Translation
When you are tense, let me teach you that there are bears in them thar woods and we are leaving NOW!
When you are short-tempered, let me teach you to slog around the pasture for an hour before I let you catch me.
When you are short-sighted, let me teach you to figure out where, exactly, in the 40 acres that I am hiding.
When you are quick to react, let me teach you that herbivores kick much faster, and harder, than omnivores.
When you are angry, let me teach you how well I can stand on my hind feet because I don't feel like leaving the barn today.
When you are worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness.
When you feel superior, let me remind you that, mostly, you are the maid service.
When you are self absorbed, let me teach you to pay ATTENTION. Remember the bears in them thar woods?
When you are inattentive, let me teach you what 1200lbs of "Yippie" can do when suitably inspired.
When you are lonely, let me be your companion. Let's do lunch. And breakfast. And dinner. Is that an apple in your pocket?
When you are clean, let me teach you the meaning of the term "manure occureth".
When you are feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of "emergency vet service".
When you are confident, let me show you how the other horses love my impression of a PRCA bucking champ.
When you need to learn, hang around, pal of mine. I'll learn ya proper.