More Articles on Slaughter

More and More lately I am reading more rounded articles about horse slaughter

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703808704576062064022541024.html

Here is one such article. I have always been for humane treatment of livestock. To me that means a well funded, rotating people, and different groups helping to make sure slaughter plants are well run. It seems to me that fees and taxes should go up, so that the departments and groups that help with these issues can be well funded.

We owe the horse, the wildlife, and yes people, to properly manage resources for all.

Allergic to Horses? I am

Its a long winding story but if you have some allergies or know someone with allergies, you might find yourself happy to take a time out and read.

I found out I had allergies when I was in bed sick, 3 out of 4 weeks for two months when I was in my late teens. Okay so it started when I was little. My mom mentioned she had to find goats milk for me, but I grew out of it, except I hadn't grown out of it. Not much else happened till I got SICK. Ended up at a nice doctor who specialized in allergies, he started do prick tests (I do not remember the official name), turns out I was allergic to a whole bunch of things, three of which stood out, I was allergic to Horses, Dogs and Cats. On the day I found out I was allergic to Dogs his receptionist gave me a dog :-).

You are going what! He put together a shot regiment that I started, what a difference, it helped a lot. A few years later was starting to have problems again. Having talked about having allergies with some friends, I was much more knowledgeable and decided to try a natural path allergy person.

I was impressed on the first visit. She was able to help me understand and accept quickly by going over the starting information I had from the doctor. By the end of the first visit I had a list 3 times as long and a lot more knowledge. She asked good questions and shared lots of information. Will admit to a bit of information overload when I left. Some items stood out, I was allergic to oranges. So when I would get sick and of course you eat oranges to get better, eating oranges would actually help me stay sick.

My being sick in bed was caused in part by my being allergic to the material my braces were made of. Ouch. Allergies are not to be taken lightly. The good news is that knowledge continues to improve. With the help of first the doctor and now natural path allergists I continue to enjoy being around Horses, Dogs, and Cats.

A friend mentioned that her son was allergic to milk, she was informed that it was important as it effects how kids breath, which effects how the mouth grows which effects the need for braces. Me I had an allergy to milk and I had to have braces, in my case it did have an effect. Parents need to be careful as kids do not outgrow their allergies, their symptoms may change as they grow, which is why treatment is important.

Hope this helps someone who may be allergic to Horses to understand that with treatment they too can enjoy being around horses.

When Purchasing Ask

Sometimes I run across did they know? Nope they didn't. When looking to purchase a horse take someone along, then pick up the phone and call a few other horse people you know. Try to pick someone who is not an impulse purchaser. Gotta smile because I have unknowingly taken an impulse purchaser along and came home with the item we went to look at. Most states have a purchaser decides oops time, this is usually short, so pick up the phone when you get home and call another horse person or two. Have them come out and look the next day if at all possible. Horse Traders / Sellers have a reputation for a reason, its buyer beware. So check and double check. Once you find that horse thats right for you it is all worth it.

Free How To Videos

Want to share some really good free how to videos. Two videos I really like are how to take a horses vital signs and how to give a horse an intramuscular injection. Both these videos are on my review every now and then list. I don't give injections every day, I find the video reminds me of the important steps to take. I hope you find these videos as useful as I do.

http://www.thehorse.com/Videos.aspx?tab=howto

Electronic Greeting Cards

Its a bit off topic but I have really enjoyed Jacquie Lawson's http://jacquielawson.com/ greeting cards so decided to share her contact information. Do check her cards out.

Went For It

Well I went for it, good thing I decided to give myself a few tries. We started working as a team the whole week before, everything looking good. During the time only, Tessa's shoulder injury came back, and I MISSED it. Went in for our run and we blew it big time. I was like what went wrong!!!! The next day arrived, started to warm up, used some unprintable language here, her shoulder was bothering her a lot. I quickly realized what happened the day before. Took a deep breath and let it all go. I was paid and there, so decided to just use our run as a training opportunity. Made sure she was nice and warmed up, and had a fine time just cantering the pattern.

I also discovered a way for me not to get nervous. Looked at the list, thought I knew where I was in the call. Was off my horse checking her rear boots, when I heard my name called! I was up. The gal next to me was kind enough to hollar I was there, while I quickly put the last boot back on, up in the saddle and away we went.

Do I go for it?

The big question. My first venture into big time barrel racing, (for me thats where more than 20 barrel racers get together :-) did not go so well. All sorts of reasons and excuses, accept and move forward. Next weekend is another big race and I am going should I? or shouldn't I? Is the horse healthy and sound? Yes, Am I healthy and sound? Sort of LOL. So the thing to do is layout an exercise plan for the week, (don't skip any days) and see if horse is healthy and sound before the race. At the end of the week, do a recheck, is the horse healthy and sound? if yes then go. The reason this is so important is that if your horse is not feeling good and is hurting then it makes it hard for them to perform at their best and it creates a big distraction for you. Going to your first few Big events is not easy. Takes a lot of guts to try so give yourself a break and plan a few tries :-)