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.
I think we are now in ‘3rd Winter” in Upstate New York and like everyone else I can’t wait for Spring. Lots has been going on though behind closed doors in the meantime, and that includes here at The Merry Band at the Catskill Horse.
Hard work from our small team means we get to keep this free publication at your fingertips and I’d like to give a special shout out to our key underwriter and publisher Horse in a Kilt Media Inc. The Catskill Horse Magazine, “The Complete Source for Everything Horse” is still 100% human-authored content which is how it will remain. It’s longevity as we enter our 14th year of publication and its great content do however rate very highly for our advertisers not just on organic SEO, but also on AEO and GEO, with a high accreditation rating on the AI side of life. So if you are looking to grow your business an advertisement here will pay good dividends.
As always we hope you dear reader, will support those that advertise here so we can keep this publication free and full of great advice and helpful ideas for both horse aficionados and rural lifestyle lovers alike. Please let our advertisers know you found them here!
This month’s issue is published a bit earlier than usual in an editorial change to better suit the marketplace. It is as always, full of fresh advice and unique articles.
Topical subjects floating about the social media include the ongoing criticism of horse sports and circulating videos of horses in warm up arenas and competitions in public arenas showcase that some riders actually are not truly on top of their game when it comes to good riding that is kind to the equine. While not everyone does dressage as a sport, the basic tenets of classical dressage riding do matter to everyone who wants to have an independent seat and ride with soft hands and a good technique that the horse understands and one that does not inflict pain or confusion on the noble beast. Take a hard look at yourself riding on a video and make sure you are not guilty of, “Push and Pull Means Nowhere To Go.”
For our countryside living folks with a bit of acreage perhaps horse farm, perhaps livestock or arable farm or small farmettes, take a look at our feature on how to create additional revenue streams to support your income needs. Times are tough on everyone right now, and anything that can be done to help sustain our open farmlands is a welcome read.
And our 3rd article this month is one on farm safety. In particular the handling of large hay bales. While agriculture still tops the list for life-altering or threatening accidents across all industries, there is plenty you can do to ensure you and your loved ones are less at risk of becoming a casualty.
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.
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
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.
Come chat on Facebook.
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.
Keep up to date.
Send your email address to info@CatskillHorse.org and we'll be sure to add you to our mailing list.