TIP OF THE WEEK!!

This fun little page is for club members who have a little something to share.
If you've found something good on the web, or have some information to share
with club members that is horse related - a funny story, a handy tip, or even some
hard won expertise from personal experience - we'd love to share it with everyone!
Now's your chance to benefit from, and share the pool of knowledge within our club!
(note: The club assumes no responsibility, either direct or implied, for the outcome of using any one of these tips)

Rocky Hills Horse Club ~ it's for EVERYONE!

FACING HIS FEAR

A horse will usually stay calmer if he can see what's spooking him, especially a moving object
like a bounding deer or a dog coming up behind him.  If you try to ride away from it, the horse
will more likely try to run, and a dog may be inclined to chase you.  Face the dog or ride toward it.
  This often prompts the dog to leave.  Any time a frightening object is coming in your direction
--a barking dog, a curious kitten, a noisy lawn mower--it's better to face it than have it coming
from behind.  If a plastic bag is blowing toward you, keep your horse facing it; circle around it.
  If you must ride away from a moving object, ride at an angle or zigzag, so the horse can keep
it in his sight until he's safely away from it.

(Storey's Guide to TRAINING HORSES)

PLANNING FOR WINTER

It's almost time. You woke up yesterday and the hose was frozen, and the trough is an icecube.
Time to pull in the hoses and plan for the inevitable 'winter proofing'. Horses will not drink water
freely if it is ice cold, so a commercial tank heater is a great solution. It keeps the water above freezing
making it more palatable to your horse. Horses will sometimes avoid drinking in winter and this can
cause impaction colic. Horses need a certain volume of water for every pound of hay consumed, so if
you look out your window one frosty morning, and see your horse standing in a pile of uneaten hay -
check and make sure that his water tank is not frozen or empty! If shelter from the wind is not
available, and you like to leave your horse out, how about an inexpensive waterproof 'shell' rather than
a bulky winter blanket? It blocks the wind, keeps the rain off on those damp days, and your horse will
still grow coat. These 'rain' sheets are modestly priced at approx $60 - 90 if you shop around for sales.
Tip - the higher the 'denier', the tougher the fabric, and ripstop nylon will not get long tears like regular
materials, making the blanket easier to repair. Don't forget to pull your horseshoes! At the first snowfall
your horse will have giant snowballs stuck under his feet - treacherous! Did you do your fall worming
for bots? The ground is frozen and the first frost is long gone, so nows a good time to tidy loose ends.
Your tack will soon be stiff as a board, so on a nice day, you might consider putting one last coating
of oil on your treasured items. Don't forget to pack away all your freezable 'horse products' and bring
them inside, to avoid having to replace them next year! And remember - a horse generates heat by
digesting the fibre in hay - so on really cold days, throw them a few extra flakes, to keep them toastey!
Horseback riding in winter can be alot of fun - so don't hibernate - Think snow!

(From Penny Nicol of HIGHLAND WILDERNESS TOURS)

HORSES WON'T DRINK WATER WHEN ON THE ROAD?

Have you ever been somewhere and your horse absolutely would NOT drink?
If they won't drink the water when they need it, you can run into serious problems with
dehydration, loss of performance - and even colic! We've all been there - horses can be difficult.
Check out this online video that shows a unique product that might just help you get your horses drinking.

HORSE QUENCHER

FINDING A GOOD INSTRUCTOR

When visiting a barn - here's some tips on what to look for
to pick just the right coach for your needs. These are guidelines
only, the right choice having alot to do with personal preferences.
(these tips are compliments of 'Gene's Horse Tips' and cover most of the bases)

• How many riders does this person teach - is it a small barn or big barn?
  Watch a lesson if possible to determine the personality of the coach
• How does this coach make you feel about yourself, when in lessons?
• Watch how the rider/instructor interact - do they get along well?
• Is there any change in the rider or horse when the lesson is over?
• Did the instruction make sense, and was he/she easily understood?
• Were goals accomplished in the lesson, or did it meander with no clear plan?
• Where did the instructor learn their craft, and how long have they been teaching?
• Does instructor have experience in the discipline of your choice?
• What lesson program do they follow? (CHA, EC, or none?)
• Is safety a priority at this barn, and do they follow safe riding practices?
• What are the riders goals? Do they want to compete or just learn to ride safely?
• Are their school horses trained sufficiently to meet the needs of it's students?
• Are you compatible with the teacher's personality?
• Where you satisfied with the first lesson, once you have taken it?
• Where you gaining knowledge, or losing ground?
• Does the stable look clean and in good repair, organized & well laid out?
• Are ASTM certified helmets provided, or do you need your own?
• Do other clients of this barn have positive things to say?

HORSES PROGRAMMING NOW ONLINE WITH BROADBAND TV!

Wouldn't it be great to sit down and watch a TV station that had 'horse only' programming?
Imagine a station where even the commercials were for horse products ONLY, and you could
watch the World Equestrian Games one day and the Rodeo Championships the next?
Well guess what? IT'S ALREADY AVAILABLE and in some cases it's FREE!

The catch, of course, is that you need an updated computer, and a high speed connection.
But thanks to Bell, parts of our area have it and it's spreading like wildfire. There are several
good online stations, and they are outlined here - visit them, if you get the chance!
Online Broadband TV is the wave of the future, giving airtime to disciplines too small for
their own satellite channel. You'll be VERY surprised when you see just how much is available!

COUNTRY MATTERS EQUESTRIAN TELEVISION

This is a small, British based station that has a combination of
video on demand (you can click anytime to watch a choice of programs)
and rotational programming (the programs available change routinely)
With everything from Pony Club to Eventing, this is a nice, FREE station,
has good quality footage, and is very clear when viewed by highspeed.

HORSE AND COUNTRY TV

This is an extensive, British based station that has a combination of
equestrian programming (over fifty video on demand programs) and
other very interesting British lifestyle programs. A really GREAT quality
transmition, with the plugin this one can be viewed full screen (large picture)
Everything from the Samsung Superleague Showjumping finals (all eight countries)
to interesting human interest horse programming, and the Pat Parelli show. You'll love
this one! In 2007, it's scheduled to transition from VOD to regularly scheduled programs.

HORSE TV ACCESS

Horse TV 'Access' is the online version of it's satellite station, Horse TV. This channel is
normally only available by satellite in parts of the states - but for a small monthly fee ($6.99)
you can get the programming over the internet! It's a full screen version, so you can watch it
large, with good clarity and an exceptional program schedule. It's not supposed to be available in
Canada, but we have it and it is AWESOME. Everything from rodeo to reining, cutting to cross country,
breed profiles, regular programs with all the greats like Gawani Pony Boy and John Lyons - an exceptional
program schedule and just an absolute joy to watch. Even the commercials are HORSE related. The catch?
You have to leave the video player on in your toolbar to see which programs are on for that day - because so
far, Canada only gets two hours of programming a day. But with the repeating schedule, it's not hard to see
all the programs, eventually - and it's well worth the money spent, to be able to watch such great horse material.

RETURN TO INDEX