Smartphones can be used for everything these days - listening to music, reading emails, surfing the internet, watching movies and, of course, taking pictures and videos. But you can also use your phone for more than taking selfies. Here are some ideas on how to use the camera on your phone with your equestrian life.
Every New Year, we equestrians make a list of resolutions aimed at improving our riding. More riding without stirrups, more dressage lessons, signing up for that first horse trial. All are great, but Refinery29.com recently came up with 12 resolutions designed to help you meet your challenges by working on your life from the inside out. All of them can be modified to help equestrians have their best 2018. Here are some to consider:
Have you started planning out your New Year’s Resolutions? Are you stumped on just what your goals for this next year should be? We’ve come up with some great ideas for barn-related New Year’s Resolutions. Take a look and see if one of these ideas might be right for you.
Equine Experiential Education-Guiding the Discovery Horses have been a part of my life for the last 30 years. In the beginning, I was a typical horse owner, hoping to ride my horse on a regular basis in and outside of the protected area of an arena. My plan early on was to learn from the advice of various horse owners. Even when it worked, though, I felt an uneasiness about creating fear in another creature, so I could have a cooperative, submissive partner.
Before there was Santa Claus, there were Saint Nicholas and Sinterklaas. And, before there were reindeer, these holiday gift-givers rode horses.
Hopefully your horse has been on the nice and not Santa's naughty list. Finding a gift for the horse who has "everything" can sometimes be a challenge. But here's an idea - the perfect gift for your horse may be a little bit of pampering. We know you already pamper your horse with good food, a great stall and lots of treats, but these are some extra ways to make him/her feel extra special.
Your horse has been your partner and your friend for many years. But now, for whatever reason, you have to find a new home for him. You may have outgrown him. Or it may be for financial reasons. Or his age is catching up to him. But don’t despair. There are a lot of great homes and options out there for your equine friend. Here are a few you can consider.
Your horse spends a lot of time in their stall. Here are some things he wants you to know to keep him happy and safe.
When you think of preparing your horse for the winter, most of us think about getting blankets cleaned, laying in a good supply of hay and finding our warm riding clothes! But winter has a significant affect on your horse’s hooves. Being mindful of these changes can help your horse keep his hooves healthy.
Photo credit: Equine Ink,
If you live in an area which receives significant snowfall each winter, it’s important know how much snow weight that your barn roof can support. Barn collapses can be devastating, but they’re also usually avoidable. These tips can help you determine if your barn is up to the challenge.
Do you Know Your Local Snow-Load Requirements?
Do your research and find out your local snow-load requirements. These requirements are based on the climate and past snowfall, and can better inform you about the conditions that your barn will need to be able to withstand. While it’s a good idea for your barn to meet these requirements, it’s an even better idea to make your barn stronger and able to withstand more rigorous requirements, just in case.
Did You Communicate With Your Barn Builder?
If you are just building your barn, make sure that you have a conversation with your barn builder about the importance of the barn being able to withstand heavy snow loads. Many local builders should be aware of this issue and should be able to advise you on building techniques to use. They may also have advice on how to "beef up" your roof if your barn has already been completed.
Did You Use A Metal Roof?
If you want to avoid snow sitting on your barn’s roof for long periods, then opt for a metal roof instead of a shingled roof. Snow melts off of metal roofs faster, reducing the amount of time that your barn will need to support the full weight of a snowstorm. Additionally, make sure that your roof is properly pitched to encourage the snow to slide off.
Did You Use Machine Stress-Rated Lumber?
If you want to ensure that your barn is strong, then use machine stress-rated lumber in its construction. Whereas most lumber is visually rated, machine stress-rated lumber is machine tested to identify its true strength. By using machine stress-rated lumber, you can avoid weak spots and will know the actual strength of the materials that you are using.
Did You Add Additional Bracing?
Adding extra bracing can further strengthen your barn so that it is able to withstand a major storm, or a series of storms. Consult with an engineer to determine what types of bracing would be most beneficial for your barn.
Did You Incorporate Drainage Around Your Barn?
Including proper drainage around your barn to help direct snow runoff away from the foundation is important to your barn’s overall strength. If runoff water is allowed to pool around your barn, it can actually affect the stability of your barn’s foundation. Be sure to use gutters and drain pipes to move water away.
Whether you're just planning your barn, have already started building or are using a previously built barn, there is still time to make sure your barn roof can withstand a heavy winter snow.
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