Charlotte's Giddy Up Gazette©
Everything For Riding Except the Horse!
Vol. 1 Issue 03 - April 2007
- Letter From the Equi-ditor
- IN THE ZONE: With Fly Control
- Product Spotlight: Bling is the Thing
- Little Known Dates
- Charlotte Goes West : The Next Generation of ULTIMATE TRAIL COMFORT
- Trailer Maintenance Checklist
- Fiona Farms (EAP) Equine Assisted Psychotherapy "Horses Helping People"
- Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
- Subscriber Specials
- Helpful Links
- Frequency and Feedback
Charlotte's Giddy Up Gazette© goes online! You can now read the Giddy Up Gazette© at the Charlotte's Saddlery website. You can read the current issue, the March '07 issue or the February '07 issue. Check it out!
Lets take a quick look at this month's issue.
What custom products are available from Charlotte's online eCatalog? Custom Chaps are available in Western or English in many variations. You can choose suede or top grain, with fringe or without, stripes, monograms and a host of other options. Bain's Custom Whips: Customize your whip in more ways than you can imagine including, but not limited to, whip length, your choice of shaft colors, grip size, and a monogram at no additional charge. BMB® Nylon Halter with Overlay and Optional Monogram: Choose the halter color and the overlay color. Add a monogram to the cheek piece or the nose band or both if you prefer. Top it off with a two color hand braided lead. All three of these items make wonderful gifts for any horsey individual. These items are also this month's online specials. Take 20% off any custom item(s): English or Western Chaps, Bain's Custom Whips or BMB® Nylon Halters with Overlay and Optional Monogram. Receive a cool 20% off your online purchase.
With Springtime comes the arrival of flies. The feature article this month focuses on fly prevention. The good folks at Farnam put the article together for our Giddy Up Gazette© readers. Start your fly prevention program now!
The Spring show season also gears up. Riders will be heading out on the different show circuits, which means there is no better time than NOW to inspect your horse trailer. We are presenting a 7 point checklist to help you with the areas that you need to be most concerned about before hitting the road. If not the most thorough, it will at least provide a good starting point.
There is a follow up to last month's Fiona Farms (EAP) Equine Assisted Psychotherapy "Horses Helping People" write-up. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a form of counseling in which horses are used for emotional growth and learning.
On the Western side, Tucker Saddlery has introduced its new GEN II™ saddle line, the "Next Generation of Ultimate Trail Comfort". In addition to new features that enhance rider comfort, the GEN II™ Tree and GEN II™ Skirt design raise saddle fit and equine comfort to a new level.
I conclude the newsletter with something "off topic", cell phones and some uses that may or may not surprise you. So check out: "Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do". This info might just come in handy during show season when you have a car and trailer full of family and horses.
Reading educates! Until next month.
Tim S. Raisbeck
No single fly product can solve the perennial fly control problem. Owners need a comprehensive plan that includes controlling insects on their horses, and where the bugs congregate and breed. For simplicity let's call this complete program "Zone Control"- Zone 1: On Your Horse, Zone 2: In The Barn, and Zone 3: In Outdoor Areas. The first tactic is to start your control program early in the season, when it's easier and more economical to prevent heavy pest buildup rather than to fight it.
Zone 1: On-Animal Control Techniques
Clearly, keeping flies and other insects off your horse is your ultimate goal. On-animal controls include various insecticidal/repellent wipes, sprays, roll-ons, spot-ons, lotions, ointments and fly masks. Here are some general tips to remember when using any of the mentioned fly and pest control methods:
- Always read all labels thoroughly before use and heed warnings.
- Don't mix different kinds of fly repellents together.
- Never apply repellents to sensitive mucus membranes (eyes, mouth, nostrils, etc).
- Direct sunlight, heat and water vapor break down chemicals that repel flies, so do not leave your sprays outside.
The diversity of control methods provides horse owners with a variety of tools to create an integrated pest management program. For example, fly sprays are ideal for horse owners who are training and/or riding their horses several times a week. One particularly effective fly spray is Farnam's Endure®. The spray contains four active ingredients, which repel and kill biting and nuisance flies, gnats, mosquitoes, lice and deer ticks that may transmit Lyme disease. Endure® also contains a sunscreen to help protect against harmful UV rays as well as, RepeLock®, a special conditioning agent that binds to the hair shaft, keeping the repellent in place.
Endure® has become a very popular fly control product for horses - not only because it is so effective as a repellent, but because it is resistant to both sweat and water. Some consumers may find the long-term control of a spot-on to be more convenient. Farnam offers Equi-Spot®, a spot-on repellent that provides freedom from the daily application of fly spray, and kills and repels house and stable flies, face and horn flies, eye gnats and ticks on horses for up to 2 weeks. It also protects against horse flies, deer flies, mosquitoes and black flies. Another method of control is fly masks. SuperMask® II with double-latch closure is made of 2000 denier "Rip-Block"™ material that is durable for stabled or pastured horses. The new double-latch closure makes the mask twice as durable and difficult for horses to rub off or remove from one another -- yet it still provides "break away" protection if the mask gets caught on a fence.
Zone 2: Premise Control Methods For Use In the Barn
Fly control in the barn eliminates adult flies and prevents them from breeding. Flies breed in manure and other moist, decaying organic matter, so it's important to keep the barn area as clean as possible. It is wise to always keep feeds covered and to avoid allowing waste feed to accumulate on the floor. Indoor premise controls for the barn area include sprays, insecticide-free traps, sticky traps, and feed-thru fly control supplements. More general tips include:
- Avoid using attractant traps inside the barn, as they draw more flies to the area. Instead, use odor-free sticky traps to catch flies in the barn.
- Treat fly resting places a week or two before flies become active to delay fly season in the stable.
- When temperatures exceed 80º F, flies gather and feed on the floor so put traps on the ground.
One recommended premise spray is Attack-All™, which is registered by the EPA for use on horses and livestock as well as on premise areas such as the barn and home. The broad-spectrum insecticide kills and repels a wide variety of pests. Its quick-killing ingredient, pyrethrin, controls more than two-dozen flying and crawling insects including flies, mosquitoes, gnats, fleas, ticks, cockroaches, spiders and scorpions.
Another weapon that fights flies in the stable is EZ Trap™ Insecticide-Free Fly Trap. The innovative design offers a high-volume trapping surface, more than three times larger than traditional sticky fly traps, at an economical price.
EZ Trap™ is versatile and has a large volume trapping capacity so it catches more flies in the area without inviting more in-and doesn't stink-up the barn. Horse owners can hang it up, stand it up, or 'gang' several traps together in well-lit, high infestation areas for improved efficiency. The insecticide-free, adhesive surface is rain-proof and never dries out-allowing it to continuously trap flies and other flying insects both inside and out. Insects have always thrived where horses and manure exist. Adding an insecticide-free method of trapping flies to your overall fly control program will maximize protection.
Zone 3: Outdoor Area Control Tactics
Outdoor fly control helps reduce fly populations before they come into the barn and irritate your horse. By keeping outdoor areas clean and free of manure and other trash, owners eliminate fly breeding grounds and help keep populations down. Products for Zone 3 include jug traps, bag traps and scatter bait such as Trap 'n Toss™, Fly Relief™, and BlueStreak™. Keep in mind the following tips:
- Use attractant (jug type) traps on perimeter of property to draw flies away from the barn, patio, kennel or house.
- Keep paddocks and corrals clean and dry.
Flies and other irritants are here to stay, but current control methods and innovative advancements in pest control will help us manage those populations. Use these guidelines and tips to create a comprehensive fly control program that works for you. Whichever combination you choose, your horse will thank you.
Product Spotlight: Bling is the Thing
The product spotlight this month focuses not on one product but a group of products. Bling is still big! A great way to personalize and identify spurs is with Swarovski Crystal Spur Charms. Color your world with a Swarovski crystal stock pin. How about a pair of Grand Prix Bling Gloves, SSG's latest stylish riding glove. Made with a breathable aquasuede tastefully enhanced with Swarovski Austrian crystals. You can even "blingify" your cell phone with Rhinestone and Glitter Foil Decals. Check out all the bling products .
Walk on Your Wild Side Day
April 12. Time's wasting, friends. It's high time you went out and did some things no one expects you to do. Be unpredictable for once. Go to work dressed as a gorilla, get a master's degree-do something "they" said you'd never do. For info: Thomas & Ruth Roy, Wellcat Holidays, 2418 Long Lane, Lebanon, PA 17046. Phone: (717)-279-0184 E Mail: info@wellcat.com or Web.
Charlotte Goes West : The Next Generation of ULTIMATE TRAIL COMFORT
For 30 years, Tucker Saddlery has been dedicated to the design and manufacturing of trail saddles that provide Ultimate Trail Comfort for both the rider and horse. We have extensively researched saddle fit, especially as it applies to the gaited breeds. From the beginning, we have built our saddles to accommodate both standard and gaited horses. Now Tucker introduces the Next Generation of Ultimate Trail Comfort with the GEN II™ saddle line. In addition to new features that enhance rider comfort, the GEN II™ Tree and GEN II™ Skirt design raise saddle fit and equine comfort to a new level. Self-adjusting bars conform to the horse's unique shape, freeing your horse to promote, encourage, and enhance its natural gait. Ideal for the gaited horse, and a feature ALL horses will appreciate.
GEN II™ Seat System
The Tucker GEN II™ seat system features the fusion of patented shock absorbing Gel-Cush™ technology with Microcell™ ventilating top grain leather and conforming V-Foam™ padding to provide ultimate trail comfort.
GEN II™ Skirt Design
Equal comfort for rider and horse. The same patented Gel-Cush™ padding riders have come to know and love from Tucker Saddles is now available in a gel bar pad system for the comfort of the horse. The Gel-Cush™ bar pad is inserted between the bar and saddle skirt to absorb shock and increase comfort and fit for the horse.
Adjustable Position - Close Contact Rigging
The adjustable position-close contact rigging Saddles is an in-skirt rigging that allows you to position most suitable to horse and rider while eliminating bulk under the rider's leg and providing close contact with the horse.
EBS™ - Ergo Balance Stirrups
Designed to position the rider's feet and legs for decreased knee and ankle fatigue while promoting balanced riding.
Wool Skirt Lining
All Tucker GEN II™ saddles use 100% Virgin Wool that has gone through a chemical carbonization process to eliminate impurities.
GII™ Tree
The Tucker Fit-Fusion™ GII™ tree incorporates a flexible bar system consisting of carbon fiber reinforced wood and PolyForm™ conforming bars. The GII™ bars self adjust and disperse weight, freeing your horse to promote, encourage, and enhance it's natural gait, without sacrificing strength and durability. The Fit-Fusion™ GII™ tree is finish coated in DURAhide™ covering. More consistent than traditional rawhide and fiberglass covered trees, it adds strength while keeping out moisture and the elements, adding to the life of your saddle.
Show season is here. Do not "hit the road" before having a thorough inspection performed on your trailer.
- Inspect tires for wear: Rotate tires per manufacturer's recommendation, just as you would on your towing vehicle. Check tire pressure with a reliable gauge. Check spare tire. Consult the manufacturer's recommendation for tending wheel bearings. If needed, pack with new seals and cotter pins.
- Inspect brakes for wear: As you do, check the breakaway battery and cable. This three-volt battery typically has a two-year lifespan and needs replacing frequently.
- Lubricate: With a can of lubricating spray, inspect and lubricate all hinges. Inspect doors, drop-down windows, hitch and jack components.
- Check floorboards: Pull mats out, and closely inspect floorboards and floor braces/joists. Replace any boards with questionable splits. On aluminum floors, look for corrosion, and treat with aluminum cleaner.
- Check wiring: Look for worn insulation, exposure or detachment. Replace any missing reflectors and nonworking light bulbs.
- Check for rust: Check all surfaces for rust and corrosion, and treat any early signs of trouble. Aluminum trailers benefit from an acid wash, and steel trailers should be thoroughly waxed.
- Replace the hitch ball: Every five years, replace the hitch ball with a new one to prevent breakage due to metal fatigue or stress. Inspect tow chains and couplers, and lubricate if needed.
Fiona Farms (EAP) Equine Assisted Psychotherapy "Horses Helping People"
This is a follow up to the original write-up posted in the March '07 Giddy Up Gazette.
What is EAP?
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a form of counseling in which horses are used for emotional growth and learning.
Who can benefit from EAP?
- Children 5 and up
- Teenagers
- Adults
- Corporations
- Behavioral and relationship issues
- Emotional disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse
Horses don’t lie: They don’t separate how they feel and how they act. The expression "What you see is what you get" could have been coined for them. Whether they’re feeling scared, confused, submissive, bold, or just relaxed and confident – and believe it, horses feel all those emotions and more – they tell you exactly where they’re at and what they want from you and mean it down to the bone.
It’s magic because what horses need to hear from us is what many of us would like to hear from ourselves. They want us to have a calm, focused assurance. They want us to be consistent. They want us to be both strong and compassionate. In short, horses need us to be our best selves. And by being so sensitive to our self doubt and fear, they help us find where we keep all our inner betrayals so we can root them out.
So the hard part of [working with horses] isn’t really about the horse at all. It’s all about knowing who YOU are, while learning about who the horse is, and figuring out who you need to be to bring the two together in mutual respect and trust. To teach your horse to stop resisting and be calm, responsive, trusting, and brave, you must first acquire those qualities yourself. You can’t just appear to be confident and in control. You must let go of your masks and conflicts and fears and simply BE confident and in control. Nor can you apply rules you read in a book. You have to find the parts of yourself that will tell you at a level below conscious thought what you have to do and how you have to act. Everything we can teach a horse, we can teach ourselves. And you may discover that when a horse sees you as relaxed, balanced, and centered, so does everyone else - in and out of the horse arena.
From the book, "Horses Don’t Lie" by Chris Irwin
At Fiona Farms EAP, Inc., we use the process of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to help our clients address those "hard to reach” issues requiring more than traditional therapy. Children, Adolescents, Adults, Families, Couples and Groups continue to benefit from the counseling services at Fiona Farms EAP, Inc.
Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
1. Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112, and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you. Interestingly, this number, 112, can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
2. Have you locked your keys in the car?
Does your car have remote key-less entry? This may come in handy someday. If you lock your keys in the car, and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, but if you can reach someone who has the other ''remote'' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
3. Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve, and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell the next time.
4. How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06# A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
5. Free Information Calls
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411 , or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone NOW.
In appreciation for your subscription to the Giddy Up Gazette, please take advantage of the following specials:
Take 20% off any custom item(s): English or Western Chaps, Bain's Custom Whips or a BMB ® Nylon Halter with Overlay and Optional Monogram. Receive a cool 20% off your purchase.
*Note: these specials apply to on line purchases only.
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