BarnBiz n’ Bits

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

In the spirit of benevolence, “Barn Biz-n-Bits” shares with you two inspiring stories of altruism. With selfless hearts these dedicated individuals have improved the quality of human life to all those they have come to serve.

“Ivey Ranch Park”

In his infinite wisdom God did not put us here to do it all alone. It’s humbling, actually, to realize how little we can do on our own. To paraphrase an old adage it does take a village…

Ivey Ranch Park is a 25-year-old private non-profit community based corporation dedicated to providing services targeted to disabled and able-bodied children and young adults throughout San Diego County.

Located in Oceanside, California, the Ivey Ranch facility encompasses 12 acres of horse barns, riding arenas, a community garden, aviary and a memorial tree program.

Relying on community donations to sustain its many specialized programs, Ivey Ranch is largely supported by local service organizations, companies, grants and foundations. Volunteers donate over $150,000 worth of services each year, including childcare, equestrian program assistance and ranch maintenance.

This year FCP was chosen by Ivey Ranch to help make yet another dream come true for their 14 resident therapy horses! A new barn was added to the facility for their beautiful four legged partners who promote health, happiness and joy for some 75 children who participate in the ranches extensive therapeutic riding programs.

In a gala “Western Hoedown” and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new barn, Ivey Park Ranch executive director, Tanya Danielly was overwhelmed by the communities’ attendance. “With families watching closely where their dollars are spent, we were so happy to have their continued support making this years celebration a great success.”

With nearby Camp Pendleton, Ivey Ranch Park and Horse Wisdom of North County are collaborating on a pilot program for veterans called “Horses for Heroes”. This program will be the first of its kind offering a holistic approach in supporting life skills and emotional well being for our service members.

The only park of its kind in California, Ivey Ranch as its focus provides educational and recreational services to disabled individuals and their families.

It’s not the famous quote; but in reality what it truly comes down to… It takes the villagers to become a community. Life is fuller when you are part of a network of family and friends, a neighborhood… a cooperative spirit. Working together, making this world a better place, Ivey Ranch is a legacy to our future.

FCP would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for having had this opportunity to share your story with our readers.

If you would like more information about Ivey Ranch Park programs, please visit their website: www.iveyranch.com, www.horsewisdom.com or call 760-722-4839

“Lope for Hope”

This time of year marks a tradition of giving and caring that has been part of America for generations.

Seldom do you find a small company with such a big heart… but that is exactly what Hobby Horse Clothing Company represents horsewomen everywhere.

Style, value and convenience have always been synonymous with the Hobby Horse label, but thanks to their dedication and commitment in the fight against woman’s cancers; generosity can now be added to their list of virtues.

Suzanne and Mike Vlietstra, owners of Hobby Horse Incorporated, have donated over $10,000 to the City of Hope Cancer Research Center since its introduction of the “Lope for Hope” fundraising program.

Hobby Horse Clothing Company is a woman’s western show apparel company located in Chino, California. With catalog sales, wholesale and retail distributors, Hobby Horse buyers reach across the United States as well as a European market.

Amazing statistics for a company that was originally started in her mother’s attic at the age of 14 and incorporated in 1987 while in high school! Suzanne’s love of horses, creative ingenuity and her mothers “do-it-yourselfer” love and support is testament to anyone who believes that with goals and enthusiasm… dreams do come true!

Always in touch with her customers, Suzi receives what she calls “Hobby Love Letters” almost daily to which she personally answers each and everyone. It was only after the advent of the “Lope for Hope” fundraiser that the realities of the little pink blouse were soon revealed. Letters of a more intimate nature began to arrive. Horsewomen from all walks of life shared their triumphs and tragedy’s of living with cancer. The stories of hope and healing through the love of horses have been Suzi’s greatest reward.

If you talked with Suzi on any day you would find a woman who loves what she does! And it shows in every aspect of her life. In a recent interview she was asked what she liked most about her business…

“I love seeing our products help people compete in their sport. That’s really enjoyable. People ask me sometimes, like on an airplane or something, “What do you do?” And I look at them and say I sell magic feathers. “What do you mean?” And I say; well, I have a little manufacturing business and my products are much like the magic feather Timothy the mouse gave to Dumbo in the classic Disney movie. By holding onto that magic feather Dumbo took flight because he believed. Much like the products we make, we help the people who purchase them believe they can really compete and “fly” in their sport. And it’s very, very rewarding.”

Be it her “magic feather” philosophy or heartfelt generosity, Suzanne Vlietstra has empowered horsewomen around the world to discover they are the “diamonds” in necklace they have always worn.

FCP has had the great privilege of not only having Mike and Suzi Vlietstra as valued customers but considers everyone in the Hobby Horse Family endearing friends. For your continued support in the crusade against woman’s cancers, your contributions go beyond measure.

Thank You!

“Hope” Tunic Blouse

For more information on purchase participation, please visit the Hobby Horse website:
www.hobbyhorseinc.com or call 800-569-5885

With a bright and shining New Year ahead make a personal pledge: become a volunteer in your community and discover the unexpected gifts waiting when you reach out to those in need.
WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Become a tutor or mentor at your local schools
• “Adopt” an elderly person in your neighborhood
• Become a Big Brother or Sister
• Serve food at area shelters
• Help out at your house of worship
• Take part in a park clean-up day

The possibilities are endless…

While on this earth we are all one-winged angels… each needing one another to take flight. Make a difference in someone’s life and feel the winds of grace as you soar ever higher… together!

God’s Blessing to Each and Everyone

“Happy New Year”

Chef Louie

Chef Louie’s Hors(e)d’Oeuvres

Christmas Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

• 6 Cups  Sweet Feed
• 2 Cups  Wheat Bran
• 2 Cups  Oatmeal
• 1 Cup    Molasses
• 1 Cup    Grated Carrots
• Warm Water
• Apple Slices
• Confectioner’s Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Generously grease bundt pan

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients together (except the apple!).  Add enough water to make the mixture doughy.  Press batter into pan and bake for one hour.  Flip over carefully onto serving platter.  Arrange sliced apples around bake and dust with confectioner’s sugar.

Bon Appetit’

— • —

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

With increased temperatures comes the potential for your horse to become seriously exhausted, or even worse, develop heatstroke.

If a horse loses fluid (as sweat) faster than he takes in water, he will gradually become dehydrated. The average horse drinks 10 gallons of water each day; horses working in hot or humid weather conditions may drink twice as much.

Horses need water both during and immediately after work. It is a myth that allowing a horse to drink right away will lead to serious health problems. If he waits, he may not drink enough to replace the fluids he’s lost. He should be offered water not much cooler than the air mixed with electrolytes.

Heat stroke can happen to horses whether they are working hard, standing in stuffy stables, or traveling in trailers. Learn the signs of serious exhaustion and heatstroke to keep your animals safe when the temperatures are not fit for man nor beast.

CALL A VETERINARIAN AND TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IF YOUR
HORSE EXHIBITS ANY OF THESE CRITICAL SYMPTOMS:

Serious Exhaustion

• Body temperature between 104 and 106 degrees
• Rapid breathing and elevated heart rates that persist after 30 minutes rest
• Depressed or unresponsive
• Dehydrated but not thirsty (pinch skin on neck to determine hydration)
• Mild sweating
• Irregular heart beat “Thumps” (appears as rapid hiccups)

If you suspect exhaustion-or worse call a veterinarian immediately. Then start cooling off procedures until help has arrived.

Heatstroke

• Horse’s skin will be hot and dry
• Heart and breathing rates will be fast
• Body temperature between 106 and 110 degrees
• Gums will appear “muddy” instead of pink
• Weakness and depression
• Stumbling, collapse, possible coma and death.

Should this occur, a veterinarian had better be close by. The horse will need repeated rinses in cold water; ice water enemas, in some cases; intravenous fluids and medication. If he survives, serious illness and permanent brain damage can result.

What to Do Until the Vet Arrives

Use shade, cool water, breezes, or fans as best you can. Sponge or spray the large blood vessels along the inside of legs and belly. Offer sips of water.

“Cool” Tips To Keeping Your Horse Healthy

• Provide ample fresh, cool clean water. Check buckets and troughs daily
• Sponge or hose down the large blood vessels along the inside of the legs
• Try to reschedule workouts for early mornings or late evenings
• Use electrolytes if your horse is sweating hard
• Provide shade shelter to avoid direct sunlight
• Apply zinc oxide cream to horses with pink noses to prevent sunburn
• Consider setting up fans to circulate air in stuffy hot box stalls
• Take care of yourself! If you’re overheated, you could miss the warning signs

Anyone involved with working horses should learn to check his heart and breathing rates, gums, hydration and temperature.  Your veterinarian can show you how. Understanding your horse’s limits and needs are the best way to keep him safe when the temperatures soar.

The Pampered Pony

With all the stress a lot of us are feeling these days, we’d like to take this moment to say “pamper you and your pony” by offering a little stress relief tip: Enjoy a day at the “barn spa!” With a little imagination, you and your beloved companion can enjoy a little pampering without spending a lot.  Here are a few suggestions to help you and your four-legged partner enjoy a relaxing barnyard experience.

• Bathe your horse with a luxurious, fragrant shampoo. You can even save money by making your own mane and tail detangler. All you’ll need is some Calgon bath oil beads and water. Mix one part Calgon to 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray mane and tail to help recondition. Remember to make sure the area you are working in is slip free. Try using rubber stall mats in the wash area to provide good footing for you and your horse.
• For you: Buy some deep conditioner. After shampooing, apply the deep conditioner to hair and wrap with a towel. Then sit in your most comfortable chair in the breezeway aisle and enjoy reading your favorite magazine while your hair soaks up the nourishing treatment. Both you and your horse will look and feel great!
• Now that we smell better, let’s make those muscles feel relaxed with a little rub down. You can make your own liniment for your horse with just a few ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

o 2 pints clear alcohol
o 2 pints wintergreen alcohol
o 2 pints witch hazel
o 1/2 bottle store-bought equine liniments

• Pour all ingredients into a clean gallon container.  Rub onto horse’s legs. Airtight containers work best for storing the unused portion in your tack room!
• For you: Check local listings for a massage training school. You can get a good massage for a fraction of the cost of going to a day spa.
• Lastly, don’t forget those hard-working feet. Again, you can make your own homemade hoof care ointment. Just mix 1 gallon of lanolin and 1 gallon of pine tar into a large container. With your horse standing in cross ties, apply to hooves up to twice daily.
• For you: Soak your feet in a container with warm water using your Calgon bath oil beads and a little Epson salt for an energizing treat.

The history of the miniature horse is varied and traces back to several sources. The earliest records reveal King Louis XIV had a vast collection of unusual animals, including tiny horses, at the Palace of Versailles.

Miniature horses were used in England and Northern Europe as far back as the 1700s to pull ore carts in the coal mines. In the 20th century, their working history changed as these small ponies were brought to America, where several major breeders established programs.

The term “Miniature Horse” was created in the 1970s as a marketing technique. Up until this point in time, these little horses were called midget ponies. Breeders coined the phrase “miniature” in effort to have a more desirable horse in the sale ring.

The American Miniature Horse is a unique and original breed. The official registry opened January 1, 1972, when it began accepting registration of these small equines and is now one of the world’s fastest growing and most beloved equine breeds.

Standing no taller than 38” at the withers, these elegant little horses truly appeal to people of all abilities. A scaled-down adaptation of a standard-size horse, the American Miniature comes in a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns and two basic body types: the stocky draft and refined Arabian version.

The multitalented American Miniature makes an ideal show partner! Their versatility in the arena ranges from halter and driving to jumping and trail obstacle courses. AMHA & AMHR offer several divisions in the ring: youth, amateur, special needs, and open classes. When competing with your mini, the possibilities are endless.

Today’s miniature horses are extremely hardy, generally healthy, and easy keepers.  Maintaining a mini costs about one-tenth of the expense for the upkeep of a full-size equivalent. The feeding program is basically the same with one significant benefit:  clean-up detail is much, much smaller! They require a good health program of hoof care, vaccinations, and de-worming.

Upon first introduction, one can’t help but fall in love with a miniature horse! These exquisite and gentle creatures are truly a horse for every barn.

No, It’s A Horse Fly!

Imagine that worldwide, there are 3000 different species of horse flies. Fortunately, here in North America we have to contend with only 350 of these pesky little buggers!

Horse flies are active in hot weather, mostly summer and autumn, during daylight hours.  Most species prefer a wet environment, but dry weather does not deter their presence in your backyard barn.

Female horse and deer flies feed on the blood of cattle, horses, mules, hogs, dogs, and other warm-blooded animals.  They are vicious, painful biters!  These flies cut through the skin with knife-like mouthparts and suck the blood. Once the wound is open and the fly flies away, in comes the secondary feeding insects. Many of these flies are potential disease carriers and continue to threaten the equine population.

Reducing or controlling the insect population in and around your barn and corrals involves many different strategies:

• Fly Predators (tiny insects) sprinkled around manure feast on young flies in the pupae stage, thus killing them before they grow into tough biting adults. It is completely natural, but timing is crucial.
• Feed-Through fly control is added in daily doses to your horse’s feed. This method, although ingested by your horse, does not harm your horse. It is excreted in the manure, where flies begin feeding on the treated manure. This treatment prevents development of adult flies and they eventually die.
• Fly Spray insecticides applied regularly to a horse kills or repels adult flies. This method only affects adults.
• Barn Fly Systems emit a fine mist through a nozzle stationed in the rafters of your barn at set intervals. The entire barn receives an application of insecticide.
• Tapes and Traps also stationed throughout your barn lure flies into a bag or bottle or to a sticky substance.
• Fly Sheets and masks outfit a horse with lightweight mesh material that keeps insects off. Keep your horse’s clothing articles handy by storing on stall front blanket bars for quick and easy application!

Safeguarding your horse’s health, as well as his comfort, is important. You may need to try several methods to find the one that works best for you and your horse. Your horse will thank you in more ways than one!

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!