BarnBiz n’ Bits

Simple Things You Can Do to Personalize Your Barn!

Not everyone can afford the cost of a new barn, but you can never go wrong when you cosmetically upgrade the interior and exterior of the structure. Investing in the upkeep of your barn not only improves its appearance, but the overall ambiance of your property.  It can be cost efficient, simple, and quick to do! Believe it or not, there are many things you can do on your own without the help of a professional.

First things first, you need to consider what type of upgrades your barn could use. This can range from landscaping to a new paint job to a new roof. You may want to start one project and then move on to others as time, money, and energy allow!

Take a walk around your barnyard and imagine what it would look like if you made a few minor changes. Make yourself a list in the order you feel a repair or change is needed. These projects can be a lot of fun for you and your family.

There are many things you can do to make your barn more appealing without spending thousands of dollars. To get you started, BarnBiz n’ Bits has a few ideas to help inspire the creative craftsman in you!

Exterior

Doors & Windows
Frame doors and windows for a finished look. Visit your local home center for a variety of trim and molding ideas available in both wood and vinyl material.

Window Shutters/Gable Loft Doors
Faux or functional, shutters are a low-cost item, pre-painted, easy to install and can change the appearance and style of a plain-looking facade and enhance its charm.

Cupola
Originally designed for venting barns, today’s cupola structures lend elegance to any roof line. To ornament your design, a weathervane can be added for a whimsical touch.

Painting
By simply power washing the exterior you can dramatically improve the appearance of your structure.  Paint fences for a clean new look. Contrasting colors complement doors and shutters for a unique style.

Décor Items
Based on your architecture and motif, there are many manufactured applications that lend character to your theme.

Landscape
Planting colorful flowers and mulching the trees in your barn area can add curbside appeal.  Corbelled shelves with planter boxes under windows are easy to assemble with materials purchased from your local home center. Planters made from brick or railroad ties enhance and frame walkways and entrances.

Interior

Tack Room
From a new coat of paint to the installation of pre-manufactured cabinetry, tack rooms are an equestrian’s “personal” space! A wide variety of accessories for saddle and tack organization can create an inexpensive remodel for any tack room.

Grilled Dividers
Grilled dividers and windows are the perfect solution for bringing light and air into a darkened box stall!

Flooring
From interlocking paver systems and spray-on rubber coatings to stall mats, there are options available for any budget.

Lighting
Install energy-efficient lighting fixtures to add a new glow to dimly lit areas.

Stall Fronts
Unclutter aisles by installing a blanket bar to your horse’s stall door. A singe bridle rack mounted opposite makes for easy storage of halters and leads. Add a name plate to personalize your horse’s home. Stall guards are a wonderful accessory for your horse to view the daily goings-on in your breezeway!

Porches & Arbors
With unlimited choices, porches and arbors create an expressive entrance to any barn.  Ringside viewing is a breeze with your own lattice-covered grandstand!

Welcome to the “NEIGH”borhood: Horse Adoption

In light of the recent economic downturn, many people are taking a dramatic cut in luxuries and it’s not just people going hungry. We’re sure you’ve heard in the media, but times are getting so bad that people are opening up their gates and allowing their once-prized possessions to roam the streets because they can’t afford to feed themselves, let alone a 1500 pound animal. It is a crisis that has turned some heads and opened eyes within our close-knit community. With as many as 1000 horses needing homes in California alone, the number of

animals making their way to slaughter is astounding.

With abandonment on the rise, adoption could be the answer for your next companion. Whether you would like to adopt or need yours to be adopted, FCP has compiled a list of equine adoption networks throughout the western United States. Just by following the links provided, you will be able to search for your new best friend or a temporary home for your trusted steed.

BarnBiz n’Bits will feature an adoption horse in each edition of our newsletter.  If you have love in your heart and space in your barn … there are horses in need.

“SAMSON’S STORY”

My name is Samson and I am a handsome,
13-year-old, 16.3 hand Bay Gelding.

Trained both in English and Western, I am an easy ride for just about any skill level. I’ve been used in the Colorado Mounted Posse with my specialty in crowd control. I have done parades and I am wonderful with kids. My family is in the Marine Corps and my owner’s husband has to go to Iraq … again. My owner has kids that love me and play with me, but she says with all of the moving it’s not fair to me. I am in need of another home that can treat me well and make my owner happy. A donation is asked to help out my family. For more information, please email skipper1904@gmail.com.

Listed Below Please Find Additional Contact Information For Horse Rescue & Adoption Operations

CALIFORNIA

United Pegasus Foundation-UPF
Tehachapi Ranch
20411 Pegasus Road
Tehachapi, CA 93561 [View Map]
(661) 823-9672
unitedpegasus@yahoo.com

Equus Sanctuary
Box 9
Ravendale, CA 96123 [View Map]
(530) 931-0108
mustangsb@direcway.com

Canyon Creek Farm
P.O. Box 1017
Acton, CA 93510 [View Map]
(661) 269-2118
www.canyoncreekfarm.com

Dark Horse Ranch
11350 Orcas Ave.
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 [View Map]
www.darkhorseranch.com

The Exceller Fund, Inc.
P.O. Box 33274
Granada Hills, CA 91394 [View Map]
mail@excellerfund.org
www.excellerfund.org

Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue
23809 E. Ave. J
Lancaster, CA 93535 [View Map]
(661) 727-0049
lifesavers@wildhorserescue.org
www.wildhorserescue.org

Redwings Horse Sanctuary
P.O. Box 58
Lockwood, CA 93932 [View Map]
(831) 386-0135
www.redwings.org

Under the Angel’s Wings Rescue-UAWR
P.O. Box 293683
Phelan, CA 92329 [View Map]
(951) 318-2275
Courtney@uawr.com
www.uawr.com

SaveHorses
P.O. Box 562
Lockeford, CA 95237 [View Map]
(209) 210-7288
Info@SaveHorses.com

Return to Freedom/The American Wild Horse Sanctuary
P.O. Box 926
Lompoc, CA 93438 [View Map]
(805) 737-9246
admin@returntofreedom.org
www.returntofreedom.org

California Equine Retirement Foundation, Inc.-CERF
34033 Kooden Road
Winchester, CA 92596 [View Map]
(951) 926-4190
cerf1@earthlink.net
www.cerfhorses.org

The Golden Carrot
44700 Terwilliger Road
Anza, CA 92539 [View Map]
(951) 763-0800
(951) 852-5937
cocarrot@earthlink.net
www.thegoldencarrot.org

True Innocents Equine Rescue-TIER
7900 Limonite Ave., Ste. G, #278
Riverside, CA 92509 [View Map]
(951) 360-1464
info@TIERRescue.org
www.tierrescue.org

Flat Broke Farm
4529 Taylor Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407 [View Map]
(707) 585-1070
www.joylonna@aol.com
www.flatbrokefarm.org

Sonoma Action For Equine Rescue-SAFER
9501 Mill Station Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472 [View Map]
(707) 824-9543
katesgate@comcast.net
www.saferhorse.com

ARIZONA

New Hope PMU Equine Rescue
HC4, P.O. Box 29T
Star Valley, AZ 85541 [View Map]
(928) 468-1514
kaliarose@yahoo.com
www.newhopepmuequinerescue.org

Dreamchaser PMU Rescue
Dunrovin Ranch
48019 N. 7th Ave.
New River, AZ 85087 [View Map]
(623) 910-6530
susan@dunrovinranch.com
www.dreamchaserpmu.org

COLORADO

Friends of Horses Rescue and Adoption Foundation-FOHRRA
6351 S. Peoria St.
Englewood, CO 80111 [View Map]
(303) 210-0552
(877) 229-7483
www.getahorse.org

Colorado Horse Rescue
10386 N. 65th St.
Longmont, CO 80503 [View Map]
(720) 494-1414
info@chr.org
www.chr.org

Zuma’s Rescue Ranch
7745 N. Moore Road
Littleton, CO 80125 [View Map]
(303) 346-7493
jodi@zumasrescueranch.com
www.zumasrescueranch.com

Black Forest Animal Sanctuary
16750 Thompson Road
Black Forest, CO 80908 [View Map]
(719) 494-0158
www.bfasfarm.com

Horse Protection League-HPL
Churches Ranch
17999 W. 60th Ave.
Golden, CO 80403 [View Map]
(303) 216-0141
info@cohpl.org
www.cohpl.org

Challenging Spirits
Angel Ridge Ranch
177 County Road #10
Ridgway, CO 81432 [View Map]
(970) 626-4287
angelridge@frontier.net
www.challengingspirits.com

NEW MEXICO

Four Corners Equine Rescue
22 CR 3334
Aztec, NM 87410 [View Map]
(505) 334-7220
fcequinerescue@qwest.net
www.fourcornersequinerescue.org

Horses were not meant to stay confined.  Nature made them to range over a wide area and graze. Equine behaviorists have long recognized the negative effects of stable stress on horses. Boredom in the stall can cause a horse to develop many bad habits and vices, such as weaving, cribbing, and a generally bad attitude.

Stalling a horse is sometimes necessary. Whether it is for show, injury, or other reasons, keeping your horse in a stall for an extended period of time may happen. It is important to keep your horse from developing vices from this confinement.

So, in order to avoid your horse’s confinement damaging his mental health, it will be necessary to give him some distractions. This article will give you some tips on how to avoid stall boredom.

There are many commercially available stall toys you can purchase from local tack and feed stores to entertain your horse! From “Jolly Balls” to “Lickits,” the diverse selection from manufacturers is plentiful and many are excellent choices. However, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on ready-made items when you can make your own!

• Empty out heavy-duty milk jugs and fill with large smooth rocks. Tie two or three jugs on a rope and hang vertically from overhead rafters, or diagonally to cross a corner, making it possible to slide the jugs back and forth. The noise they make when rattled can be entertaining and satisfying to a bored horse!
• Traffic cones also make excellent stall toys. Your horse will love to sling them around and throw them, so don’t be surprised when you hear a lot of noise coming from the barn once he’s discovered the fun!

• Burlap feed sacks are another suitable container to harness an afternoon of entertainment. Simply fill with milk jugs or aluminum cans and securely tie the opening with baling twine.
• Cheap balls (basketball, soccer type) from your local superstore work well in your horse’s stall for hours of play!
• Soft rubber feed pans (not buckets) also make great toys for distraction time as they are easy to toss about a stall.
• A piece of thick cotton rope approximately 2′ long with knots in each end makes a twirling toy for those who like to sink teeth into their fun!

As with any “toy” you give an animal, routinely inspect for safety. Replace milk jugs often and discard frayed sacks and ropes as needed.

Money Saving Horse Tips

We have all felt the sting of the economy and our pets are no exception. FCP would like to give you a few money saving tips on how you can save a little “hay” and still provide quality care for your four-legged loved ones.

• Buy in bulk. Buying in large quantities can save you money on hay and grain. Just make sure you have the proper storage to ensure freshness. Also enlist a friend to split the cost, ensuring the best price for larger purchases.
• If your are boarding, check with your boarder to see if they would consider trading “chores” for a discount.
• Take good care of your equipment. Cleaning and storing tack and accessories properly can add years to your equipment’s life.
• When equipment needs to be replaced, consider consignment stores. Good-quality equipment can be found at great prices. And don’t be afraid to haggle or barter. You may have something worth trading for.
• Preventive health care. Buying quality food, exercising, and basic health care such as regular checkups and good hygiene go a long way. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” are good words to live by. Pet insurance can also pay off in the long run. Check with your vet for self-treatment options.

Beware of poisonous plants that will harm your horses when ingested. Recognizing poisonous plants and trees and then taking steps to prevent horses from eating them is high priority.

Surprisingly, poisonous plants don’t taste very good. But for some horses, it is very tempting. Older horses know to leave such plants as yew and oleander alone, but the young ones are very curious and it gets the best of them. Horses receiving adequate nutrition and plenty of good-quality forage will not voluntarily eat poisonous plants.

Oleander                       Yew

According to veterinary toxicologists, the most deadly plants are the yew bush and oleander. Yews are ornamental evergreen shrubs that are very toxic at all times of the year. Oleander is extremely toxic to horses even in small amounts. Once it is swallowed, nothing will save the horse. A laxative may help purge the plant from the system and some medications may help with symptoms, but death is usually the outcome. In some cases, death will occur in as little as 8 hours. Symptoms are colic, diarrhea, sweating, trouble breathing, and lack of coordination.

Equine poisoning is a completely preventable occurrence. Never trim yew bushes or oleanders and toss the clippings over the corral fencing to horses or other livestock. These dangerous plants should not be planted near your barn or pasture. If your pasture is maintained regularly, there is no risk of poisoning. A good point to remember is “if a horse is fed well enough, then he probably won’t have an appetite for it.”

Through My Eye

A Collection of Literary Equine Wisdom

Welcome to the remarkable world of equine literature and the everlasting beauty of God’s most majestic creature.

A poem, like a dream, has layers of hidden meaning. To each reader its quiet flowing words reveal both personal and universal truths.

Barn Biz n’ Bits invites the horse lover in us all to experience these written words in a wonderful on-going collection of poetic works.

Your submissions or those of a cherished author are gladly received as an addition to this column.

Please send entries to kmortensen@fcpbuildings.com

The Galloping Mare

We enter the forest,
There’s a soft calmness in the air,
Nature’s breath through the trees
And the breath of my mare.

Sun melts through the trees
And it lights up her hair,
And the wind dances softly,
With the mane of my mare.

She snorts at the shadows
That dance in the air,
With a prancing half-buck
And her nostrils a-flare.

She’s longing for light,
And she knows I’m aware.
So I loosen the reins
And she accepts my dare.

Off all at once,
At a gallop we tear,
The wind cools our faces
And whips at our hair.

And the trees are a blur
And the ground’s barely there
And the day runs to night
But we don’t really care.

When we stop time has gone
But it’s cool and it’s fair
So we both have a drink
From a creek that flows there.

I don’t know the way home
But to know I don’t care,
All I  want or I need
Is all I have there.

It’s nature and nothing
And the cool forest air
It’s time to loose time
And the love of a mare.

I could almost be lost
I can live without care
But sadly I see that
Her hoof prints are there.
O! For a horse that can gallop on air!