Welcome to Catskill Horse.

Welcome to The Merry Band at the Catskill Horse. We hope you enjoy browsing our monthly online magazine. This .org digital magazine, began as a community resource serving the North East region of the USA, and has grown to reach a national and even international audience. The complete source for everything horse with a bevy of archived educational articles, tips and advice for multi-riding disciplines for horse owners everywhere that encompasses everything horse and rural lifestyle related.

Come join our Merry Band at the Catskill Horse. And don't forget to check in at our Facebook page.

Summer has stretched her warm humid hand out to us all these past weeks and tumultuous weather has hit many regions hard. The inescapable truth is that the climate here in the U.S.A. is changing, and along with it comes many difficulties including in the realm of farming and horse care endeavors.

A look back in history does showcase weird weather patterns and events before, and history can be a stark reminder of how important it is not to lose that which we have to date enjoyed and perhaps taken for granted. In this month’s edition we take a look at the history of a notable horse breed, the Suffolk Punch. It’s bright chestnut color and stout frame is truly a draft horse of a different breed. It is clean-legged and has no feathers! It is considered the oldest of the British heavy horse breeds. Enjoy a visit to the Suffolk, U.K. farm in our special in person adventure where The Suffolk Punch Trust continues the good work of Mr. Biddell in the late 19th Century helping preserve the legacy of this heritage horse.

A major race season at Saratoga Racetrack has already begun and at the venerable track as well as elsewhere in the region Strangles has reared its ugly head. Do a quick knowledge check and awareness reminder with a review of our article from Karen Nowak on this highly contagious disease. Better be prepared than ostrich-like about the issue – early intervention is important.

And our 3rd feature issue this month centers on our other favorite companion and animal partner as horse people, dogs. Inevitably from time to time we need to leave them in someone else’s care. But which canine care option is best. This article will help you make your best decision with advice on options and what to look for in a caregiver. Whether that be a boarding kennel, private home or pet sitting service.

Don’t forget to check in at our news page for lots of horse lover information, see the winners of our monthly book contest and find new events to attend on our very popular events page.

With heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters, viewers and advertisers alike who have helped keep Catskill Horse growing this far. We look forward to many more years to come as we build this digital publication and continue to reach far and beyond New York.

If you write and would like to contribute; have news you would like to share about your organization or activities at your farm, please email info@CatskillHorse.org

Please to visit our Facebook page and keep up on current news and come join the chat at the Catskill Equestrian Group too.

Happy Riding!

Nikki Alvin-Smith
Editor
Catskill Horse Magazine
Publisher: Horse in a Kilt Media Inc.

Can You Help Spread The Love?
 
The Merry Band at the Catskill Horse have been catching up with Dominique – the therapy horse. Sandy Smith and her wonderful companion Dominique have been out and about cheering up folks in need of a smile.

 
“Here is Dominique in his Super Dom costume. He looked adorable and is Super the way he changes a room from winter into summer with sunshine, flowers, and smiles. Dom spent a good deal of time at the Wilmington, DE Ronald McDonald House on Halloween. He was Super Dom and his dad just sent this photo. The joy they shared with their little son, told it all. This is why Dominique’s Smiles exist, and why we simply must get into hospitals and other Ronald McDonald Houses. Everyone reading this, please know Dominique needs your help. If you know a hospital doctor or board member with some clout, get after them to allow Dominique to visit!” explains Sandy Smith.
 
If you can help, please step up. You can follow Dominique’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

Horse in a Kilt Media Offers Marketing Help For Horse Businesses
 
Episode 100 features our own Horse in a Kilt Media Inc. Nikki Alvin-Smith, offering a world of advice on marketing techniques and savvy brand building in this podcast where she appeared as a guest of Horse Radio Network alumni Helena Harris. Take a listen!

Learn More About Horse Hay

Have you ever wondered where your hay comes from? In this episode, we learn about what it takes to produce the most important component of a horse’s diet. Plus, we learn about things like how to spot a good bale when you see one, how to measure moisture content, prevent spontaneous combustion, and more. Hay farmer, Nikki Alvin-Smith from Willowview Hill Farm Dressage, brings a ton of really interesting information.

Check Out Horse Radio Network Alumni Helena Harris Podcast Stall and Stable

Listen in for advice "Keeping a Grand Prix Dressage Horse".

Catskill Horse T-Shirts & Notebooks Now Available

Catskill Horse is pleased to announce that we now have T-Shirts, mugs and notebooks with our own arty design available for purchase to help spread the word.

Buy any one of our products - choose from our 100% cotton T's or buy a mug or notebook.

T-Shirts are available in Womens Fitted S/M/L/Xl and Unisex S/M/L/XL/2XL for only $20 plus $6.50 S/H. If you are located in NY please add 8% sales tax.

Mugs: $12.95 plus $6.50 S/H. Please add 8% sales tax if you are located in NY.

These fun notebooks are available for $11.95 plus S/H fee of $2.00. Please also add 8% sales tax if located in NYS.

Checks should be payable to Horse in a Kilt Media Inc., and mailed to P.O. Box 404, Stamford, NY 12167. Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery.

Preventing Dehydration in the Horse

With exercise, the body temperature rises. This heat must be dissipated, or the horse will literally “cook”! The body cools itself through the evaporation of sweat, so sweating is especially important for the exercising horse. The sweat contains water and electrolytes, or salts. The main electrolytes are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

When the body loses water and electrolytes, various functions are compromised, and the health of the horse can be at risk. To ensure that your horse remains healthy, learn to effectively replace both the water and electrolytes – and the electrolytes must be replaced in balance with what has been lost (While this article focuses on exercising horses, it is important to realize that heat stress from confinement in the horse trailer for hours can result in profuse sweat losses due to hyperthermia and anxiety). Read the full article...

Vaccine Risks?

Here is some advice on what to look out for as your horse is administered vaccines this season. There have been reports of some serious adverse reactions this year, so be vigilant and ask your vet for their advice and specifically what adverse vaccine reports they have received through their channels.

It’s important to be able to distinguish between minor side effects and those reactions that warrant a call to your veterinarian.
 
Normal Responses
After intramuscular vaccination, it’s fairly common for horses to experience mild, temporary side effects for a few hours such as:
• Local muscle soreness or swelling
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy or alertness 
 
However, if the signs listed above last for more than 24 hours, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to inform them of what is going on with the horse. This will allow your veterinarian to provide you with treatment advice and care instructions.
 
Causes for Possible Concern
Sometimes more serious side effects, and in some cases, life-threatening events, can occur, including:
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse
• Colic
• Swelling at the injection site several days post vaccination.
These more serious side effects are rare, but do require immediate consultation, and, in some cases, medical intervention.
 
Working with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure your horse is being evaluated based upon its particular needs. Many veterinarians follow the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ recommended guidelines for core vaccinations.  Veterinarians can also be helpful in determining the need for other risk-based vaccinations based on an assessment of your geographic threats and travel plans. They are also familiar with the proper handling and administering of vaccines, which is important because those handled improperly can actually become ineffective or may increase the risk of side effects.

CH note: This advice comes from a leading vaccine manufacturer and is provided in excerpts.

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For lots of up to date news and events please fan us on facebook at www.facebook.com/CatskillHorse.
Want to chat too? Check out www.facebook.com/CatskillEquestrianGroup

Promote your event.

Have an event planned? Send us the details and we'll post it our events calendar page.

Do You Love To Write?

While Catskill Horse has a staff of professional contributing writers/reporters/photographers, Catskill Horse is always interested in receiving submissions of articles and photos for publication from new writers. We can provide a photo or authorship credit for those works accepted. Please do not submit via mail - we prefer email submission. Send your ideas/articles/wrap up features/photos to us at info@CatskillHorse.org marked attention Editorial. If accepted you will be notified via email.

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Send your email address to info@CatskillHorse.org and we'll be sure to add you to our mailing list.