BarnBiz n’ Bits

Nestled in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, Paul and Bonnie Forgette call the historic town of Covina, California home.

The Forgette’s striking architecture required more than a typical backyard barn.  For this reason Paul and Bonnie selected FCP with its 27 years of experience, to design and construct the barn of their dreams!

Central to every step during the planning of this custom barn was FCP’s hands-on service and commitment to creating not only a safe and functional environment for their horses yet craft a structure that would truly complement the Forgette’s distinctive property.

From the dramatic exterior balcony to its sweeping staircase elevating to the second story office overhead, the beloved occupants of Paul and Bonnie’s barn view an over-sized aisle where rich wood clad stall fronts enhance the amenities encompassing their modern day Shangri-La.  Harmonizing with lush landscape and detailed ornamentals this custom barn is picture perfect!

Architecture is a process as well as a product.  It starts with a vision and ends with design and construction.  Paul and Bonnie Forgette’s creative ingenuity exemplify the best of equestrian living through the charm and style of their luxurious surroundings.

With much appreciation FCP is proud to present your collection of photographs to our Barn Biz-n-Bits readers and thank you for this opportunity to have been your barn builder of choice!

Despite Mother Nature’s unpredictable weather conditions, hundreds of individuals stopped by the FCP display at the 2010 Equine Affaire!

From its whimsical weathervane to the extraordinary octagonal white-railed porch, this year’s barn presentation was no exception to FCP’s innovation and design capabilities.

Barn Biz n’ Bits would like to share with you a few letters we have received in response to this year’s exhibition:

Trade Show Kudos

“I feel compelled to write and thank you for your tremendous hard work at this year’s Equine Affaire. We have long been customers of FCP and look forward to seeing your new product. Your talent has left those of us who witnessed this year’s spectacular barn in awe and disbelief.  Your professionalism, integrity and ingenious barn building will keep you in the forefront for years to come.  Again many thanks for yet another fulfilling FCP experience.”

Al & Jean Grazier
San Diego, California

“My sincere thanks for your undivided attention at this year’s Equine Affaire.  After visiting with other manufacturers my husband and I are certain FCP is the product of choice for our upcoming barn project.  Your consummate professionalism and industry longevity has made this decision without… any doubts. We look forward to working with you in the near future.”

Lynn & William Bradley
Murrieta, California

“This letter is to thank you very much for your great hospitality at this year’s Equine Affaire.  As usual, everyone was thoroughly impressed with the incredible barn presented by FCP!”

Jennifer Tyler
Carlton Oaks, California

From the entire staff at FCP, we would like to extend our thanks to those who made the 2010 Equine Affaire a great success.

FCP, Incorporated
Dream ~ Design ~ Build

By Kelly Mortensen

Friendship matters to women.  Ask any one of us and we will tell you there is something special within its earthly bonds.

Wilma & Betty were the proverbial back fence friends who consoled one another thru the Stone Age.  Lucy & Ethel were steadfast believers in each others dreams.  Thelma & Louise… compassionate confidantes.

Our woman friends come in a wide variety… sister, mother, neighbor, a childhood playmate.  We make connections at the gym, the workplace even the stables!

Our Saturday morning riding group started years ago when four very different women united in friendship from their love of horses.  Over the top of clip-clop, voices chatter in the morning sun.  Each sharing their ups and downs from a week that now lay behind.

Mother, Grandmother and executive businesswoman; “X” is an amazing woman to behold. Her exuberant smile never fading as she juggles her busy corporate world with Blackberry in hand!

“Y” is a creative woman with decorating talents that leave Martha Stewart standing in awe!  Buttons and bows she exclaims; “It’s all in the presentation!”

Beauty best describes “Z”.  With unassuming style and grace her vision of life is that of a treasured gift.  Even at its worst… she will find the infinite possibilities of good.

And then, there’s “Me”.  Secretary by day… innovative foodie by night!  My joy is in the kitchen, consequently securing my contribution to our group as the designated baker!

The story of our friendship is the story of our divorces, our children, careers, loves, losses and remarriages.

From the barn aisle we share worries and secrets and find most any reason to celebrate with cake!  Our talks from the trail are at times serious, painful and intense.  As the saying goes; “If your friends can’t tell you… who will?”

Somewhere in the meaning of the word “friendship” is an assumption of trust… with humor and joy we’ve encouraged one another to take leaps.  Yet never alone; as we collaborators leap right along side then scramble to help when climbing up the other side.

We moved from youth through middle age with an accumulation of wisdom and watchfulness… when shared made each of us stronger had we been on our own.

Friendship matters… it matters a lot.  I once believed family was the center of life.  Now I know my friends are the difference between a lonely life and a lively one.

As I look back on our “Happy Horsing” foursome we have found acceptance, love and loyalty in each others company.  For at the very core we can look to one other and say; “I know just what you mean.”

Treating Equine Thrush

No sooner does your horse’s corral start to dry out when another storm finds him standing in a bog of mud and manure.  With persistent rains, thrush becomes a common problem for our stabled friends.

Caused by anaerobic bacteria, equine thrush is a fungal infection that slowly eats away at a horse’s hoof tissue predominantly in the frog area.  In its early stages, thrush is fairly harmless and easily treatable.  Left untreated, thrush can cause permanent lameness.

Generally, a hoof afflicted with thrush will display mild discomfort.  A black pus-like liquid accompanied by a distinctive odor indicate symptoms which require treatment.

Once you’ve learned to recognize its signs, thrush is fairly simple to cure with inexpensive medications found at your local tack or feed store.

Here are some helpful tips should you find yourself face to face with a stinky, blackened hoof in hand!

• Try to keep areas where your horse stands dry!  Check your feed store for bedding products that deter standing water and mud.
• Pick hooves daily to remove dirt and debris.  Pay close attention to frog and cleft areas.
• Scheduled trims and shoeing help prevent contracted heels and deep clefts where the thrush bacteria is easy to hide.

Should you find the thrush bacteria lurking in your horse’s hooves, treat the area immediately.  The simplest and least expensive alternative to over-the-counter remedies is to use iodine, betadine or chlorine bleach.

Paint or spray solution onto the bottom of your horse’s hooves making sure every possible crevice is permeated.  Apply twice daily for up to five days.  After this time, the thrush should be gone.

If the thrush does not respond to home care within a week’s time, the horse must be seen by a veterinarian.

Now the good news!  Equine thrush is anaerobic which means it cannot survive when exposed to oxygen.  This makes prevention a snap! With routine hoof cleaning and preventive stall maintenance, the “Smelly Black Creature” from the mud bogs won’t be taking up residence in your horse’s hooves.

Chef Louie’s Hors(e)d’Oeuvres

Apple & Oat Chewies

Ingredients:
1-½ Cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1 Cup Oat Bran Cereal or Ground Oatmeal
½ Cup Flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Oil 9”x 9” Square Baking Pan

In a large bowl combine all ingredients.  Spread batter evenly into cake pan.  Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until firm to the touch.  Cool completely and cut into bite-size squares.  Keep unused treats in the refrigerator!

Bon Appétit!

Chef Louie’s feature recipe is proudly brought to you courtesy of
June Evers ~ Author of “The Original Book of Horse Treats” Horse Hollow Press