Thank God for the Hay Net

The Texas HAYNET

I have three easy keepers who are outside 24/7. This is Canada and I would hate to be a horse and live outside. That's my perspective. I am a wimp. I love layers of clothing,wool socks and all my favourite Back On Track stuff.

I try to imagine what it would be like from the horse's point of view. I learned from my trusted vet that a free choice shelter is the healthy answer for our horses. Hence our run-in-shed. My horses seem to be happy and they are healthy. They have a choice of the run-in-shed, a copse of cedars, or the field. Often in the worst weather I see all of them in the field.

Feeding outside in the winter is a problem, especially with heavy snow. We use 4x4 round bales in our sheep operation and that's what's available for the horses. There is a lot of waste feeding rounds bales outside and the horses would hoover through a bale very quickly. This was not the best solution for easy keepers.

Four years ago we became aware of the slow feeder haynet. A new way for us to conserve and feed hay in a controlled way. In my research I found the Texas HAYNET. Equus magazine gave it rave reviews and after more research I ordered it from the US. Leslie Davis is the inventor of the Texas HAYNET. She created it originally for insulin resistant horses. 

We were very pleased with the Texas HAYNET and it really did make an impact on the conservation of hay. The horses took to it right away. Two nets would make management a little easier, so we looked for a Canadian manufacturer because of custom duty costs. 

Over the next two years we ordered nets from two different Canadian hay net companies. The first company produced a white cotton net that had holes within the first use. The second hay net, the Natural Alternative Grazer slow feeder - N.A.G net was a much better product. The N.A.G slow feeder is soft to the touch, but stands up well. We alternate the Texas hay net with the N.A.G slow feeder net. The N.A.G slow feeder net is produced in British Columbia by Many Blaise. 

Recently we added Leslie Davis's newest net (green) to our collection. We use the nets from September to May, so they get quite the work out. With our harsh winters we like to have a 4x4 bale in use, and two ready with the nets on in the barn. 

Saddle Rain Protection

Saddle Rain Protection

I'm short and most riding rain coats overwhelm me. I also find most rain coats hot and heavy. I could just wear a rain jacket, but I have an expensive saddle and I don't want it to get wet. 

I found a unique solution to my problem - Discovery Trekking's Saddle Rain skirt. This is perfect for camping as it is light weight and can be rolled up to fit behind the saddle. I love that it takes up very little room in our camping gear box.

I bought the extended style Saddle Rain Skirt. I could write on and on about the benefits and features, but check out my short You Tube video on Discovery Trekking's Saddle Rain Skirt.

I have the summer weight Saddle Rain Skirt which is just perfect for me. The sizes run a little large.  

First Lamb of the New Year

Welcome - the first Baby Ram Lamb of 2014!

The cold conditions do not deter birth. Our first ram lamb arrived in the early frigid temperatures on the morning of February 26, 2014. Thank goodness it is cozy in our old barn. 

Mom and babe are doing well. All is quiet. The other ewes are waiting expectantly for their lambs to be born. 

Snow Time Blessings

Cut snow path

View of  Barn

Snow Time Blessings

I've been stuck inside for the week now due to extremely low temperatures. It is not advisable for people with heart  conditions to venture out in temperatures below -15 C.

Dylan, the snow dog, has been confined to his heated room in the barn. He's ready to light up the township with compressed energy. 

Attitude of Gratitude

I am grateful that the horses have two choices for shelter, the run-in shed, and the cedar copse. The N.A.G bag feeder has been a blessing and the four wheel drive tractor too. I am truly thankful for my wonderful husband who drives the tractor and sets up the round bale. 

Down to the last strands of hay in the N.A.G bag

As soon as the temperatures climbed, Dylan and I were out on the trail again. I am so pleased to be able to snowshoe and not sink into the snow. In some areas on the trail Dylan was not so lucky and he sunk to his middle. Dylan just stayed there with a bit of a sad look, then he was ready to venture on.  A true trail dog.

Dylan sunk chest deep in snow.

Dylan easily seen in his new vest.

Dylan has a new high visibility vest from Gear 4 Dogs. I was really pleased with this vest. It fit him well. He is highly visible in the bush as you can see in the photo. Without the vest a hunter could easily mistake him for a coyote.

In my cold, bleak, world I am grateful for all my blessings. 

First Snowshoe of the Season

Dylan with his Bear Bell - early Fall.

Yesterday it snowed day and night. The result was two 
feet of snow. Today was my first snowshoe of the season. Dylan,our 120 lb. Alaskan Malamute/Rotti/shepherd dog, and I headed out.The horses were busy at the slow feeder and looked up briefly when they heard Dylan’s bear bell. I bell my dog to alert the wildlife.

Dylan's Bear Bell

Breaking Trail is never easy and each year it gets a little harder. I use ski poles to help me stay balanced. I made it halfway around our field and then retraced my steps packing down the trail. Dylan was off everywhere creating his own trail. 

Dylan checking out the bush.

Snowshoes and Ski Poles

We really should venture out before 3 p.m as the days get shorter. The chance of encountering some poor jack rabbit,or deer becomes greater as dusk approaches. 

The Trail Home

Winter Riding Survival Gear for the Rider

Brrrrr, winter. Every year I seem to need more clothing. For the older rider, the aches and pains can keep you from enjoying your favourite sport. Over the years I've accumulated a number of products that I absolutely must have to get through the winter and I will share them with you.

If you are interested in what the vets have to say about cold winter riding, read this article by Dr Sallie Hyman 

My best winter survival product is Back On Track Therapeutic clothing. My new find this year is the Back On Track Long Johns. I have the therapeutic knee brace and the regular therapeutic gloves. I love these products!

Back On Track therapeutic long johns will end your search for the warmest breeches. All your winter breeches will be extra warm now if you wear the Back On Track long johns underneath them. Stay cozy while you ride, or while you do the barn chores.

If you have cold hands, Back On Track makes two types of gloves: riding gloves and regular gloves. The riding gloves are the answer for those riders who have arthritis and have difficulty holding the reins. These therapeutic gloves are also the answer for people with Raynaud's disease. 

What I love about the regular gloves is that you can wear them overnight when your hands ache. The gloves are made of a thin material and are very comfortable worn inside the house.These gloves are especially wonderful for arthritic hands!

Read testimonials from top World class riders on my web site Best Horse Products Review. Back On Track makes superior therapeutic products for riders, horses and dogs too. Stay warm and tuned to this blog. Next post will be about the animals.

Protecting Yourself on the Horse Trail

Protecting Yourself on the Horse Trail 

I featured this article on my blog on Best Horse Products Review. I decided to add some more information for the senior rider.  

Everyone loves to ride out on the trail for a few hours of relaxation. We sometimes entertain a false sense of security because we are mounted on a 1500 pound animal. We forget that our horse is a prey animal and not our personal defender. Self-defense is not upper most in the riders mind. Without the correct training and awareness we are at risk for an attack by human predators. Most of us never imagine being attacked. Older riders need to be reminded that it is not just young women who are in danger, but seniors are also at risk. 

Scot Hansen Self-Defense for Trail Riders
ScotHansen, a retired mounted police officer created a wonderful video that all riders should view. Scott offers a DVD training video $ 39.00 on his website  Scot Hansen - Horse Think . It demonstrates excellent tips on how to protect yourself if assaulted. This would be a great video to present at your pony club meeting, or horse club. Scot's site also has a list of clinics that he offers around North America.

Tips for Self- Defense on the Trail

Here are some general tips for mounted self-defense:

1) Carry a cell phone in your pocket. Activate the emergency alert app before your ride so you can touch it to activate if you need help.

2) Be aware of your surroundings. We ride to relax, but we must stay alert and be aware of:where you are, and the nearest populated area.

3) If you suddenly realize that you are in danger you must be in control of your horse and remain calm. Think of your escape route options.

4) If someone approaches you with a smile and friendly greeting - remember the human predator uses a friendly guise to disarm his prey.This is not the time to be friendly.

   Warn the person to stay back.

   Say: " My horse bites." He will step on you! or Get back! My horse doesn't like men."

 5)  Move off in the opposite direction.

6) Train your horse to move his hindquarters into the attacker, move the front end of your horse away from the attacker so your reins or leg cannot be grabbed.

7) Pull your leg up and away from the attacker. As soon as you are free, trot off towards a populated area. 

Emergency Alert 

I usually ride and walk my dog on our farm. We rarely have trespassers, but after visiting Scot Hansen's site, I revisited my thoughts about emergency alerts. I had a heart attack three years ago and I always wear my phone. I always wondered how I would respond if I were physically incapacitated, would I be able to call for help? My concern - if you need help and cannot manipulate the phone to call for assistance. Could you set the phone up so one touch would alert your family, or emergency crew?

I searched the web and found a number of emergency phone apps that can be downloaded to your smart phone. Check out iTunes app store, or the web to find an emergency alert app that will suit your needs. Make sure that you have your phone set-up for any potentially dangerous situation.

Phone Emergency Alert Apps Suggestions 

Make sure your phone app has a silent option so you do not frighten your horse!

bSafe - 

Nervous when walking alone at night? Jogging or hiking on lonely trails? When walking alone you can ask selected friends to follow you LIVE from a distance with real-time GPS tracing, or if you are jogging or hiking you can program your bSafe SOS alarm to trigger automatically if you have not checked in within a predefined time. All developed to keep you safe!

Ever begged for the phone to ring to get out of a situation? bSafe is what you need! This GPS-based safety alarm is packed features to make you safer. bSafe is only available for android phones at the moment.

Circle of Six   

Set up your own safety network of friends and family members – as many as you want – and all will be notified in case of an emergency. Just push the big red SOS button to text/call them with information on your exact location and that you need help. It`s as simple as that! 

Guardly - is available from their website or iTunes. It comes with monthly subscription.