by Colorado Serenity Colorado's Premier Lifestyles Magazine
“What does he see when he looks at me? I feel like he looks right into me.”
“He sees what matters to him ma’am. Lights, Sounds…What’s immediate. The clouds and stuff – they don’t mean anything to a horse. Flashes, intention, that what a horse notices. Unless your one as smart as Big Red here. They can tell when the horse next or behind them wants to be first to the food. Or the mare. Or the finish line. That’s what matter’s to them.”
From the movie, Secretariat – Between characters Penny Chenery Tweedy and Eddie Sweat with Secretariat at his stall.
ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS LOCAL 4-H GROUPS ON THE WEB
American Association of Equine Practictioners
Arapahoe Hunt Club - Area Traditional "Fox" Hunting group .
Buffalo Bill Saddle Club - trail rides, horse camping, shows, club meetings.
Colorado Horse Council
Colorado Driving Society
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
Evergreen Rodeo Association
Intermountain Horse Association - Monthly educational mtg and annual poker ride.
Jefferson County Horse Council
New Vocations - Adopt or donate to help a race horse start a new career.
Parker Trail Riders - Gymkhanas, Shows, Trail Rides, Parades
Rerun - Adopt or donate to help a race horse find a new career.
Westernaires - Great weekly program for 9-19 year olds, horse or no horse.
-Aspen Springs 4-H
-Horsefeathers 4-H, Julie Phillips
-Pleasant Park Shooting Stars 4-H, Andy Petrick,
Colorado Carriage Company - Local, Willard Foreman.
Dreamhorse - Horses for Sale
Equestrian Life - Online horse community
The Horse - Extensive scientific online resource for all things horse
Horsecity.com
Horse Junkies United
Horsetopia.com - Classifieds and Horses for Sale
Horse Trailer World - New & Used Trailers
Mobile Vet Services - Ask a vet blog, etc.
Mountain Homes 4 Horses - Andrew McWilliams. Local farm and ranch real estate as well as residential and land
Pine Country Feed - Local Feed, Supplies and Tack Store
BOOK LIST
Breeding the Racehorse by Frederico Tesio
Centered Riding by Sally Swift
Dressage Principles Illuminated
by Charles deKunffy
Horsekeeping on a Small Acreage
by Cherry Hill
Lyons on Horses by John Lyons
Monte Forman's Horse Training Science
by Forman and Wyse
Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli
True Horsemanship Through Feel
by Tom Dorrance and Leslie Desmond
True Unity by Tom Dorrance
Understanding Lameness
by Terry Swanson DVM
HORSE TRAIL AND CAMPING LINKS
Colorado Horse Trails - New Site
The Colorado Trail - CT Equestrian Site
Trailsource - Costs $34.99 Yearly, but looks worth it if you trail ride a lot.Very Comprehensive and many local trails listed.
Horse and Mule Trails - Descriptive, camping info., Horse Accommodations
Horse and Travel - General
Horse Trail Directory - Ratings, Camping info.
HORSE KEEPING TIPS Winter Preparations - Before winter really hits, here are some things to ponder. If you don't have the ability to ride much in the winter, consider with your farrier pulling your horses shoes for the winter and giving their feet a chance to go natural with some good trims for a few months. Also, giving them a few months off to enjoy some pasture or turn out time is good for their body and brains. Make sure they have lots of time to be a horse, dig and roll in the snow, run around, and hang out with friends. Around your place or barn: Bring in jumps, training aids, obstacles and store for the winter to keep them from getting frozen to the ground until spring. Drain hoses so they are ready to flow in the cold, clean tack and store what tack you can inside to avoid the temperature extremes. Your equipment will all last longer out of the elements and you won't trip on some of it after it gets buried in snow. Don't forget to get out winter blankets, if you use them, to Scotchgard and have ready.
Cold Weather Horse Care - Fresh water is very important during cold months. Horses need water for temperature regulation and energy. If you don't have a way to keep the water thawed, add warm water often to keep it available to them. Not enough water can lead to health problems, including impaction colic. Horses have a great furnace and all furnaces need fuel. High forage diets will give there digestive system good fibrous materials to breakdown and generate heat. Offer a little more hay in the cold and keep an eye on their weight during long cold spells. Alfalfa can be a great heat producer as well. Unless your horse is clipped or under lights, generally blankets are not necessary. They do better with their natural winter coats at insulating themselves - a blanket can keep them from getting a good insulating air pocket in theiir coat. Wet and wind will deter a horse from that insulating ability, so they should have a way to get out of the wind and wet. A good waterproof, medium to heavy weight blanket may be the only option, but must be carefully monitored for dampness. It is also very important that your horse not get too warm. A cool dry horse is better off than one that is too warm. Horses are very happy in cold weather and shouldn't be compared to how cold we feel. Ask your vet if you have any questions...
Katie Nelson and Gunner at The Colorado Corral Ranch Race 2010.
