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.
It’s boiling! But then it is summer. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. Even after 40+ years August is still a month where I have to tell myself be mindful and not to wish my life away eager for September to arrive.
Here at our farm it has been quite the summer season already. I think just about every piece of equipment has broken down for one reason or another at least once. And it’s all well-maintained. I guess like us things just wear out.
But we have overcome the difficulties and the barn is stocked with beautiful horse hay all ready to sell out to those that prefer the organic variety ‘sans’ chemicals. And we have a short respite waiting for some of our 2nd cut fields that were harvested late first time around to grow ready for harvest. Meantime camera crews have delayed their arrival to film due to the heat. I’m a bit thankful for that. The Horse Studio has been great managing the crew and flexibility of schedules.
The Merry Band at the Catskill Horse magazine have been busy. Our thanks to contributing writer and professional equestrienne Tina Hammond for her article that fellow horse trainers will certainly identify with – Your Horse. My Problem. Tina’s usual tongue-in-cheek style apparent. I hope you enjoy it.
For my part I’ve shared some insights into the great works of renowned equine artist Sir Alfred Munnings.A follow-up to an article that Amy McLaughlin wrote for Catskill Horse Magazine some years back. There truly nothing quite as educational and inspirational as an artist as seeing works of art in person. Up close and personal. The museum is well worth a visit.
On horsekeeping notes check out our feature on, “What Does Your Horse Barn Say About You”. Have you ever thought much about it? If not maybe it’s time to do so, especially if you run an equine facility where others board and visit for lessons or to buy horses.
I’d like to add a special notes of thanks to all of you, our dear readers. Our reach is now over 126,000 views per month, and for our 13-year-old publication that is stellar. Your loyalty is much appreciated. As are our advertisers and contributing writers. A heartfelt thank-you to you all.
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.
T-Shirts are available in Womens Fitted S/M/L/Xl and Unisex
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.
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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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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