BarnBiz n’ Bits

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!

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.