A timely post from the VT Veterinary Medical Assn. by M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM:
"Many people like to have fun during the Halloween festivities, but our pets can truly be frightened by all of the noise and costumes. Halloween is a holiday with many dagners for our dogs and cats.
Dressing up is fun for humans, but may not be fun for our pets. If your pet tolerates a costume, keep in mind your pet must be comfortable at all times. Avoid any costumes that use rubber banks or anything that might constrict circulation or breathing. Likewise, avoid costumes with toxic paints, dyes, or that are deible.
"Costumes on people can be equally scary to pets. Masks, large hats, and other costume accessories can confuse pets and may even trigger territorial instincts. It is not unusual for bets to act protective and fearful of people in costumer, even if they are normally very social with that person. Remember, you are responsible for controlling your pet and insuring that he doesn't bite any guests.
"Constant visitors to the door along with spooky sights and sounds may cause pets to escape and become injured in a variety of ways. Consider letting your dog spend Halloween inside with special treats, safe and secure. Even in a fenced yard, Halloween is not a good night for a dog to be outside. This is doubly true for cats: they may try to bolt out the door and even if they are allowed outside, they are more at risk for being hit by cars due to the high traffic from trick or treaters. Black cats, especially, are at a higher risk from human cruelty on Halloween. Considerkeeping your cats in an interior room where they are unable to bolt out the door5.
Some Halloween decorations an be unsafe for your pets. Fake cobwebs or anything resembling string can be tempting to cats, leading to an intestinal obstruction. Candles, even inside pumpkins, can be easily knocked over, burning your pet or even lighting them (it has happened before) or your house on fire!
"Keep pets away from all Halloween candy. Most people know that chocolate can be toxic to pets, even in small amounts. However lollipop sticks and foil wrappers can cause blockages in the intestinal tract. Candy sweetened with xylitol can cause a life threatening drop in blood sugar if ingested by a pet. Some pets can get an upset stomach just from eating a piece of candy, since it isn't a part of their regular diet.
"These simple responsible precautions will help humans and pets like have a safe holiday. For more information on how to make Halloween less stressful to your pet, contact your veterinarian."
Friday, October 24, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Slow Hay Feeders - the Benefits
Horses are designed to graze. "Little and often" is the ideal situation. In a perfect world, our horses would have access to good pasture 24/7 so they can eat the way they're designed to ... but we don't live in a perfect world.
Some horses live primarily in stalls with limited (or no) access to a pasture where they can graze. They're fed 2 or 3 times a day, and - especially with horses in heavy training or competition - their diet is often high in concentrates. Other horses, due to obesity or a metabolic issue, have to be kept on dry lots and their food intake restricted. But in both cases, the food is usually consumed quickly, and then the horse has to wait until the next feeding, which is often hours away.
Slow hay feeders can be a big help for horses who don't (or can't) have access to unlimited grazing. They're marketed under many different names (NibbleNet, Hay Pillow, Cinch Net and Greedy Feeder are just a few), but their basic design and effect are the same: they have smaller holes than traditional hay nets, so horses have to nibble the hay out a little at a time. This slows down consumption so it's more like grazing - "little and often".
There are several benefits to using slow hay feeders:
Some horses live primarily in stalls with limited (or no) access to a pasture where they can graze. They're fed 2 or 3 times a day, and - especially with horses in heavy training or competition - their diet is often high in concentrates. Other horses, due to obesity or a metabolic issue, have to be kept on dry lots and their food intake restricted. But in both cases, the food is usually consumed quickly, and then the horse has to wait until the next feeding, which is often hours away.
Slow hay feeders can be a big help for horses who don't (or can't) have access to unlimited grazing. They're marketed under many different names (NibbleNet, Hay Pillow, Cinch Net and Greedy Feeder are just a few), but their basic design and effect are the same: they have smaller holes than traditional hay nets, so horses have to nibble the hay out a little at a time. This slows down consumption so it's more like grazing - "little and often".
There are several benefits to using slow hay feeders:
- Constant access to high-fiber forage (hay) will make sure there's always food and saliva in the stomach, which buffers stomach acid and helps maintain a normal pH. This may be a help in preventing the development of gastric ulcers.
- It will take longer for your horse to consume his hay, and that will keep him occupied. Boredom is a real issue in stalled / confined horses, so keeping them entertained by making their feed last longer can help stave off vices like stall walking, cribbing and weaving.
- Studies in the UK have shown a correlation between boredom-related vices and an increased risk of recurrent colic, so keeping your horse occupied with a slow feeder may help reduce the risk of colic as well.
- There's a lot less waste. If you horse is the type who likes to nose through the hay to get to the choice bits first, you know that they often scatter, trample and ultimately waste a good deal of it in the process. They can't indulge in that behavior when you use a slow feeder, so there's less waste of hay - and money!
A COUPLE HELPFUL HINTS
Head-Down Feeding
"I'd love to use a slow-feed hay net, but I want my horse to eat with her head down. If I put the net on the ground, she could get it snagged in her shoe, or catch her leg in it." That's a valid safety concern, and there are solutions. One is to buy a "box" slow feeder (www.grazingbox.com is one example) but the durable, well-made ones are often quite expensive, and shipping costs often rival the purchase price. Here's a more budget-friendly, DIY solution: get a tub or small stock tank, or build a wooden box manger that's large enough to hold your hay net and tall enough so your horse can't step into it. Install 4 sturdy eye screws in the bottom (with a washer and nut on the outside if you're using a tub or tank) and get 4 equally sturdy double-ended snaps that are large enough to clip to the eye screw. Clip one end of the snap to the eye screw, put your full hay net in and clip the free end to it. Presto - a safe ground-level slow feeder! Just be sure that your box/tub/tank is either secured to an immovable object, or heavy enough to stay put while your horse pulls hay from the net.
Save Stuffing for the Turkey
Don't overfill your nets or bags. If you want to make sure your horse has constant access to hay, it's better to use a couple large-capacity feeders. Jamming the net mega-full can make it hard for your horse to pull the hay out, and that may frustrate her. Some horses will simply give up and go without eating, while others will yank so hard they may pull the feeder down. This can be a real safety hazard, as we discussed above, and it's a pain to have to keep replacing your hay net!
Stop by the tack shop's page and see what we have for slow-feed hay nets!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Ride Safely During Hunting Season
Here in Vermont, 2014's big game hunting season started on Sept. 1 and runs, for one game animal or another, until Dec 14. Many horse people like to trail ride through the woods at this time of year, enjoying our glorious foliage, the cooler temperatures and a reduced population of bugs ... but many are also concerned about sharing the woods with hunters carrying (depending on the season) bows, rifles or muzzle loaders. Caution should be exercised, but with proper preparation and equipment, hunters and trail riders can share the woods safely.
RULE 1: BE AWARE. It's a good idea to know which season is currently running so you can know what you're likely to find out there. During deer rifle season, for example, you're probably going to see hunters wearing blaze orange. Turkey hunters, on the other hand, tend to favor more camouflage, so they'll be harder to spot. Many deer hunters, whether using rifles or bows, hunt from tree stands, so remember to look up, too - lots of hunters have stories about hikers and rider who pass under their tree stands, never realizing there was a hunter overhead! You can find a schedule of Vermont's big game seasons at the VT Fish and Wildlife website.
RULE 2: BE HEARD. You don't have to ride through the woods yelling as loudly as you can, but noise can make a hunter aware of you before you're visible. Carrying on a conversation with your riding partner at a level that allows you to hear each other over the creak of tack, the crunch of leaves and the thud of hoofbeats will be loud enough to warn hunters of your presence. Sing a song, recite poetry, or talk to your horse. You can also hang a couple small cow bells from your horse's tack - the high-pitched jangle will be clearly audible and carry well.
RULE 3: BE VISIBLE. Blaze orange is commonly worn by hunters, so they're more likely to be "on alert" for that color than any other. We have blaze orange trail sheets (similar to a quarter sheet), helmet covers and trail bags from Mac Mountain Tack Repair that offer a high degree of visibility. They're washable, lightweight and breathable (the helmet cover is made of a stretch lycra, and the "horse gear" is made from a vinyl covered poly mesh), Mac Mountain also makes the Protectavest; it's a blaze orange vest that covers your horse's shoulders and chest and makes your horse very visible while out in the pasture (and we have those as well). You can also braid ribbons of blaze orange surveying tape into your horse's mane and tail, or hang streamers of it from your saddle and bridle.
High-visibility yellow is another "safe" color to wear during hunting season. We have leg and tail bands for the horse, kits for your bridle and halter, and helmet bands and vests for the rider. This gear is also reflective, which makes it a good choice for those who like to ride in the early morning or later in the evening, or if you ride in areas with vehicle traffic.
Finally, consider a flashing light. This will make hunters aware of you before sound or blaze orange will, especially in low-light conditions. We have compact, light-weight flashers with 5 LED bulbs that are super-bright, water resistant and run on two AA batteries. They can be attached to your helmet, your arm, your boot or half-chap, your tack or your horse's tail.
(NOTE: If all of this sounds like overkill, remember that "less is more" is NOT a rule to follow during hunting season. So what if you and your horse are a jingling, LED-flashing, reflective mass of blaze orange and high-visibility yellow? During hunting season, that's the look that will make sure you're noticed and safe!)
RULE 4: BE PRUDENT. A little caution and forethought can go a long way toward staying safe.
RULE 1: BE AWARE. It's a good idea to know which season is currently running so you can know what you're likely to find out there. During deer rifle season, for example, you're probably going to see hunters wearing blaze orange. Turkey hunters, on the other hand, tend to favor more camouflage, so they'll be harder to spot. Many deer hunters, whether using rifles or bows, hunt from tree stands, so remember to look up, too - lots of hunters have stories about hikers and rider who pass under their tree stands, never realizing there was a hunter overhead! You can find a schedule of Vermont's big game seasons at the VT Fish and Wildlife website.
RULE 2: BE HEARD. You don't have to ride through the woods yelling as loudly as you can, but noise can make a hunter aware of you before you're visible. Carrying on a conversation with your riding partner at a level that allows you to hear each other over the creak of tack, the crunch of leaves and the thud of hoofbeats will be loud enough to warn hunters of your presence. Sing a song, recite poetry, or talk to your horse. You can also hang a couple small cow bells from your horse's tack - the high-pitched jangle will be clearly audible and carry well.
RULE 3: BE VISIBLE. Blaze orange is commonly worn by hunters, so they're more likely to be "on alert" for that color than any other. We have blaze orange trail sheets (similar to a quarter sheet), helmet covers and trail bags from Mac Mountain Tack Repair that offer a high degree of visibility. They're washable, lightweight and breathable (the helmet cover is made of a stretch lycra, and the "horse gear" is made from a vinyl covered poly mesh), Mac Mountain also makes the Protectavest; it's a blaze orange vest that covers your horse's shoulders and chest and makes your horse very visible while out in the pasture (and we have those as well). You can also braid ribbons of blaze orange surveying tape into your horse's mane and tail, or hang streamers of it from your saddle and bridle.
High-visibility yellow is another "safe" color to wear during hunting season. We have leg and tail bands for the horse, kits for your bridle and halter, and helmet bands and vests for the rider. This gear is also reflective, which makes it a good choice for those who like to ride in the early morning or later in the evening, or if you ride in areas with vehicle traffic.
Finally, consider a flashing light. This will make hunters aware of you before sound or blaze orange will, especially in low-light conditions. We have compact, light-weight flashers with 5 LED bulbs that are super-bright, water resistant and run on two AA batteries. They can be attached to your helmet, your arm, your boot or half-chap, your tack or your horse's tail.
(NOTE: If all of this sounds like overkill, remember that "less is more" is NOT a rule to follow during hunting season. So what if you and your horse are a jingling, LED-flashing, reflective mass of blaze orange and high-visibility yellow? During hunting season, that's the look that will make sure you're noticed and safe!)
RULE 4: BE PRUDENT. A little caution and forethought can go a long way toward staying safe.
- If you know an area is a favored hunting spot, it might be best to avoid it at this time of year.
- Whenever possible, ride on or near "posted" land, and be sure to keep to well-marked, open trails and fields - this is NOT a time of year to go bushwhacking!
- If the trails in your area aren't well cleared with good visibility, consider spending this time brushing up on your ring work.
- You may also choose to trail ride only during the week, when hunters aren't as likely to be out.
- When you encounter a hunter, ask if s/he has seen any other hunters in the area.
- If you see hunters heading in the direction you're going to ride, remember that you can turn around and ride elsewhere.
- Remember that, during rifle and muzzleloader season, you may be hearing gunshots, and your horse may spook as a result. If your horse is extremely sensitive to loud noises, it might be best to stick to the arena during those seasons.
RULE 5: BE RESPECTFUL. If you see a hunter, please don't start yelling at the top of your lungs. You may startle the hunter or scare away the game s/he's been patiently hunting. Treat them the way you'd like to be treated, and chances are very good that they'll return the favor.
Remember that "no trespassing" signs apply to everyone - including you, unless you have permission from the land owner to ride across the property! Of course, if you see someone disregarding a "posted" or "no trespassing" sign, the land owner would appreciate hearing about it. It may be someone who has permission to hunt there ... or it may not; either way, the land owner should be notified.
Here's hoping that everyone - hunter and horseback rider - has a happy and safe season!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)