BarnBiz n’ Bits

Not far from the Pacific Ocean the picturesque community of DeLuz lies within the greater Fallbrook area. Gently rolling hills, lush groves, ancient oak trees and equestrian properties are a among this landscapes highlights.

It was here that Dottie & Werner Holzer relocated from Colorado to build their retirement ranch.

Their historic property was settled by the Stoner family in the 1870’s. The original dwelling was lost to fire in 1949. However, the rock fireplace remains as a reminder of the land they share today.

The barn and pastures are separated by a seasonal creek which lends to the ranch’s natural ambience. Satin the family donkey along with her 23 year old companion Cisco spend their leisure hours grazing along the waters edge.

It was Dottie’s love and concerns for her animals which brought them to FCP. With unique challenges in mind, the barns design was met with great enthusiasm. Custom “critter” pens were manufactured to keep her beloved goats and sheep safe from neighboring wildlife. From the wagging tails welcoming committee to the wide eyed and curious sheep named Rosie… the serenity Dottie & Werner have created for their animal family is evident.

We at FCP would like to thank you for this incredible opportunity to be a part of such wonderment. Our best wishes to you always!

Derived from the word “cup,” cupolas were domed turrets resembling an overturned teacup. History dates the cupola’s origin to 8th century Middle East and Indian architecture. This particular design spread to Russia, where in the 17th and 18th centuries it gained great popularity. Cupola’s of various styles were integrated into English domestic architecture during the late 17th century and became part of U.S. architectural design during the post-Revolutionary Federalist era.

The typical early barn was without roof ventilators. The trend toward ventilation began in the Connecticut Valley when each farmer chose to express himself architecturally by designing an individual style of cupola.

Many godly farmers believed that lightning was God’s will, and so they refused to use lightning rods. But scientists argued that the heat of fresh hay attracted electricity and a good ventilator would repel lighting. Therefore, farmers who refused “heathen lightning rods,” accepted the cupola ventilators.

Modern cupolas have taken on new esthetics and design with the availability of pre-manufactured structures. With countless styles available to adorn the roof line of most any building, today’s barn owner can have the look and feel of yester year’s architecture.

With creative design and quality craftsmanship, FCP offers an elegant cupola selection from MWI Components at a most affordable price.

Whether your interests are in building a new barn or just looking to remodel that ol’ chicken coop, let our knowledgeable sales staff at FCP assist you with your cupola needs. Or visit MWI at mwicomponents.com.

West Nile virus is here, and it is probably here to stay. Since its discovery in New York in 1999, the virus has spread rapidly across the country, infecting horses in nearly every state in the continental U.S. One in three clinically infected horses will die.

Horse owners should take precautions to minimize the impact of the West Nile exposure and reduce the loss of life for horses from this serious neurological disease. Proper vaccination and mosquito control measures are of the utmost concern for all horse owners.

How Do Horses Get West Nile Virus?

The cycle starts with infected birds. When a mosquito bites a bird carrying the West Nile virus, it too becomes infected. The mosquito then feeds on another bird, a horse, human or other mammal. Once a horse has been bitten, it may take only 5 to 15 days for signs of West Nile virus to appear.

Signs of West Nile Virus

If you see these signs in your horse, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Stumbling or tripping
Muscle weakness or twitching
Partial paralysis
Loss of appetite
Depression or lethargy
Head pressing or tilt
Impaired vision
Wandering or circling
Inability to swallow
Inability to stand up
Fever
Convulsions
Coma
Death

What Can Owners Do to Prevent the Disease?

Vaccination Program

All horses should receive vaccinations in order to provide protection from West Nile virus. Recommendations are for an initial inoculation, a booster in 3 to 6 weeks and repeat boosters in the face of an outbreak, or every 6 months to best cover the mosquito season.

Mosquito Control Tips

In addition to vaccinations, horse owners should take particular measures to control mosquito populations.

Keep horses stabled during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Turn off lights in horse barns that attract mosquitoes at night.
Use florescent lights, which do not attract mosquitoes.
Keep screens in stable windows.
Run fans in stalls and loafing sheds.
Reduce standing/stagnant water sources.
Aerate ornamental ponds and stock with fish if possible.
Empty water collecting in buckets, tarps or tires.
Clean water troughs once a week.
Use mosquito repellent.

Mosquito larvae need water to survive. Even the amount of water needed to fill a coffee cup is enough for eggs to grow and hatch.

Watch out for standing pools of water in birdbaths, old tires, or saucers under your potted plants. Larvae look like little worms with big heads. As soon as you dump them on the ground, they’ll die.

Baked Carrot Crispies

Ingredients:

• 2 Carrots, Shredded
• 1 Apple, Shredded
• 1/3 Cup Molasses
• 1/4 Cup Bran
• 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/4 Cup Dry Oatmeal
• Confectionery Sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Generously grease a muffin tin.
3. Mix carrots and apples in a bowl with molasses, bran, brown sugar, water, flour and oatmeal.
4. Mixture should have a thick and doughy consistency. Add more bran if needed. Scoop dough into muffin tin, sprinkle top with brown sugar and bake in the oven for 30 to 50 minutes until cooked thoroughly.

Let cool. Garnish with a light dusting of confectionary sugar. Makes 6 muffins.

My Best Friend

We’ve been together
Through the thick and the thin,
You were there for me
Time and time again.

You were my rational side
I could cry on your shoulder,
And if all you did was listen,
It helped me remove that emotional boulder.

I came to visit you everyday
Even though life for me right then was tough,
Everything that stressed me I told you
I could only imagine for you it was rough.

You never judged me,
You listened to my thoughts
Now I know in my heart,
True friendship can’t be bought.

Now, as I sit here and think,
It’s sort of funny of course.
Who would have thought,
My best friend was a horse.
__
Author Unknown

“All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, to be loved by a little girl.”

Author Unknown

___

“A true horseman does not look at the horse with his eyes,
He looks at his horse with his heart.”

Author Unknown

___

“Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart.
You will never regret it.”

Author Unknown

___

“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.”

Pat Parelli

___

“To many, the words love, hope and dreams are synonymous with horses.”

Author Unknown

Hey Moms…
Great work! The entries posted this month along with all received are now officially entered in the “Kid Corral” Photo Contest. Remember you may submit photos as often as you wish so keep your cameras handy and click away!

Daniel and Trixie

Nap Time!

Want A Carrot?

Halle & Weezer