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The Truth about Bran

The Truth About Bran Dr. Jessica Dunbar, Littleton Large Animal Clinic, as previously featured in the Arapahoe Hunt Hunting Horn Some horse owners commonly use bran mashes (wheat bran) as a supplement feed for their horses.  Bran is known for its high fiber content, but most of it is indigestible plant fiber including cell-wall lignan, cellulose and hemicellulose.[1]  Used indiscriminately, wheat bran may cause mineral imbalances contributing to orthopedic problems, as well as digestive upset.  Horses require more calcium in their diet than phosphorous.  Bran provides approximately ten times the amount of phosphorus over calcium. [2][3] If used regulars, the excessive phosphorus will cause the body to take calcium from the bones, weakening the bone structure.  This may lead to Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism or “Big Head Disease”.[4][5]  Bran Ingested at less than 10% of the diet is safe.3 Some horse owners believe a bran mash can have a laxative effect or offers a way to rehydrate your horse after a trailer ride or long workout.  In truth, bran fed infrequently represents a sudden change in the diet for gut microbes and may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset resulting and watery manure (diarrhea).1 Bran may be a way to encourage finicky eaters to eat and horses certainly enjoy the occasional mash, but simply be aware of the side effects of what bran fed at more than 10% of the diet.  Smaller individual pre-packaged bran mashes are available so that owners need not buy bran in bulk.4  A healthy alternative to a wheat bran mash is Equine Senior.  Warm water can be added to “senior” feed pellets to make a mash. [1]  Kreitler, Bonnie. Rich, Ginger. Feeding Bran.  www.animalnetwork.com. 2006. [2]  Ralston, Sarah L. Nutrition of Horses

By |June 19th, 2018|Categories: Foxhunting|Comments Off on The Truth about Bran

Bits-The Snaffle, the Pelham, and the Gag

I just read an article entitled "It's All About the Bit That Works Best For You."  I couldn't disagree more, it's all about the bit that works best for your horse.  Like all things American, we have gone crazy for the latest gadget when it comes to bits.  Wilson Dennehy and Marvin Beeman only used two bits, a snaffle or a pelham, for show jumping, hunting and polo.  Why?  Because "I never found a horse that wouldn't go well in one or the other," they both independently said to me. As for the Snaffle, there are a few kinds worth mentioning. First, the Eggbutt Snaffle: The Eggbutt is a very common multi-discipline style of cheek piece for snaffle bits. The eggbutt snaffle minimizes two problems that can arise with its cousin, the loose ring snaffle, whose rings can pinch the edges of the horse's mouth, and which doesn't provide much lateral stabilization. By flaring out the ends of the mouthpiece and joining the rings with flush swivel joints above and below where the lips contact the edge of the bit, the eggbutt can be a more comfortable alternative for many horses. The edges of the mouthpiece are less likely to pinch the horse's lips, and because the cheek is fixed in relation to the mouthpiece, the bit offers moderate lateral control. When the bit is pulled laterally through the mouth, there is some resistance on the opposite side, which can help encourage the horse to turn with less danger of pulling the bit through the mouth than exists with a loose ring snaffle, though more than with a dee-ring or full cheek snaffle.By having rings fixed to the mouthpiece, the eggbutt does give up some

By |June 15th, 2018|Categories: Foxhunting, polo|Comments Off on Bits-The Snaffle, the Pelham, and the Gag

Coyote

“Coyote is always out there waiting, and Coyote is always hungry.” In a sense this is telling you that sometimes it is necessary to get out there and DO.  Everything does not come to you, but be thankful for what does. Coyote is known as the trickster in Navajo mythology, but Coyote doesn't always win in the attempts of trickery.  In Navajo tradition, the telling of Coyote Stories is restricted to the winter storytelling months, October through February. COYOTE AND RABBIT One day ‘ Coyote was out walking.He was walking in the forest.He saw Rabbit.He started to chase Rabbit.Rabbit ran in a hole.Coyote said,” I’ll get you out of that hole,Let me think,”.Coyote sat down to think.Now I know: I’ll get you out.I’ ll get weeds.I’ll put them in the hole.I’ll set fire to them.Then you will come out,” said Coyote. Rabbit laughed.No, I will not come out my cousin.I like weeds. I’ ll eat the weeds.”“Do you eat milkweeds, ” asked Coyote."I’ll get milkweeds.” “Yes, I like milkweeds.I’ll eat the milkweeds,” said Rabbit.” Do you eat foxtail gross”asked Coyote.” I’ll get foxtail gross“Yes, I like foxtail gross.”I’ll eat the foxtail gross,” said Rabbit.“Do you eat rabbit brush” asked Coyote.“I’ll get rabbit brush,” I like rabbit brush best of all.I’ll eat the rabbit brush too, said Rabbit.. “I know,” said Coyote. “Pinyon pitch. ”Rabbit looked sad. ” You will kill me. I do not eat pinyon pitch,” said Rabbit.Coyote was happy.He ran from pinyon tree to pinyon tree .He gathered pinyon pitch.He put the pinyon pitch in the hole.He set the . pinyon pitch on fire.He bent low. He blew on the fire.” Come closer,” said Rabbit.“Blow harder.”Coyote come closer.He blew harder. “I’m nearly dead,” said

By |June 14th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Coyote

Born to Run Reminded Me of Why I Love Running

Any equestrian knows that the following excerpt "that a human's stride is longer than a horse's stride" is an exaggerated claim by the author who loves urnning, but I loved the book, Born to Run, anyway, as it well written and has great tips on diet and science which are fascinating for all athletes, not just runners.  But ask any horse person, and they will tell you that a horse has a 12-foot stride at a hand canter and scientists have shown, for instance, that Secretariat (24.5 ft) had a foot shorter average stride length than American Pharoah (25.23 ft) at the gallop, but was able to run faster.  When a human runs, if he has a 12-foot stride, let alone a 25-foot one, I'd love to see that human.  I think he was referring to the length of stride of a horse's trot, which is about 4-4.5 feet.  When exercise physiologist, Jack Daniels, analyzed human runners' stride lengths at the 1984 Olympics, he found that women distance runners had an average stride length of 58 inches, while women sprinters averaged strides of 80 inches. For men, the average stride was 74 inches for distance runners and 93 inches for sprinters.  So he got it right if that is what he meant.  Anyway, it is a great book, and be sure and try the pinole recipe. In BORN TO RUN: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen Christopher McDougall writes: Together, Dr. Bramble and David Carrier began putting their World’s Greatest Marathoner model to the test. Soon, evidence was turning up all over, even in places they weren’t looking. One of their first big discoveries came by accident when David took

By |April 9th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Running|Comments Off on Born to Run Reminded Me of Why I Love Running

Vicks® BabyRub™ is a Soothing Scent for Horses and MTG Cures Everything Skin Related

Vicks Vapor Rub or BabyRub can open nasal passages so the horse can breathe easier or for that cough when you first start to ride.   Also, it can be used to calm horses, similarly to the use of ear plugs, when at places such as hunts or horse shows. Apply below the nostrils, not inside the nostrils.  We like the Vicks® BabyRub™ better than the regular Vapor Rub, as the baby one is a non-medicated formula that contains fragrances of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.  Combined with your loving touch, it is perfect to calm, soothe, and relax your baby or your horse, as it turns out.  This is a tried and true trick used by our horse show groom for over 20 years now. Just a heads up: Vicks  regular formula (not the babyrub formula) contains camphor, an illegal substance for USEF competitions in any amount, no matter how minute. Thus, readers should take care when using it close to a rated horse show. While it should not go through the skin, it could be absorbed through mucus membranes.   Another reason that the BabyRub formula is better, as it doesn't have camphor, plus it just smells better than the regular Vicks. Shapley's MTG DL Original M-T-G Oil is a single solution for fungus, rain rot, girth itch, scratches, sweet itch, tail rubbing, dry skin, bug bites, and mane and tail detangling. This antifungal treatment for horses provides protective results, in many cases, after a single application. This horse mane and tail detangler is safe and effective when used on dogs, cats, small animals and livestock. It cures about everything skin related on horses.

By |April 6th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Vicks® BabyRub™ is a Soothing Scent for Horses and MTG Cures Everything Skin Related

WO China Healing Oil-essential oil combination “medicine chest in a bottle”

#260 - WO - CHINA HEALING OIL We recently were turned on to this by a local alternative medicine doctor who likes to take a few drops on a q-tip and then plug each nostril for about 5 minutes to cure a number of things from allergies to congestion to migraines.  He also rubs it on various sore spots, etc.  He calls it a medicine chest in a bottle.  I don’t know about that claim, but being a skeptic, I have to say it has worked on everything we have tried it on. WO is an essential oil combination “medicine chest” in a bottle—and thus plays a multi purpose “fix about everything” role for people who prefer natural solutions for life’s temporary minor travails at home and during travel. People call it “Wonder Oil” as well as “Worm Oil” for its main ingredient worm seed essential oil. A potent “Yang” energy formula, WO supports circulation and active epidermal processes.  Great for sinus infections with a drop or two on a q tip.  Order from https://revelationhealth.com/products/systemic-formulas-260-wo-china-healing-oil Heals and treats external trauma; for use by less sensitive people. A first aid kit in a bottle, the many properties of WO Oil make it essential for the modern day medicine chest at home and while traveling. High in “Yang” energy -the ancient Chinese conceptualization of the active, stimulating bioenergetic force, WO has proven effective for treatment of sore throat, wounds, abrasions, cuts, bruises, as an anti diarrhea and for relief of general gastro-intestinal malaise. WO is also effective against parasites. It is essential that it is kept out of the eyes and mucous membranes. Recommended for external use. COUNT: 1/2 oz RECOMMENDED USAGE: Topically or 1-6 drops in a

By |April 6th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on WO China Healing Oil-essential oil combination “medicine chest in a bottle”

Navajo Creation Story

Creation Story Poster- Ni’hodilhil First World is one of our favorite treasures.Illustrations by Theresa Breznau.© 2013 Heritage Language Resource Center.To purchase see bottom of page. Thing in the Black World1. Insects – Ch’osha. Black Ants – Wo’ia’zhini Dine’èb. Bee People – Tsi’s’na’ Dine’èc. Wasp People – Na’azozii Dine’è 1., Divine Spirit2. First Talking God3. Second Talking God4. Coyote5. Primordial Dawn6. Primordial Blue Sky7. Primordial Twilight8. Primordial Darkness9. Everlasting life and happiness The Black Cloud represented the Female Being or Substance. For as a child sleeps when being nursed, so life slept in the darkness of the Female Being. The White Cloud represented the Male Being or Substance. He was the Dawn, the Light Witch Awakens, of the First World. In the East, at the place where the Black Cloud and the White Cloud met, First Man, was formed ; and with him was formed the white corn, perfect in shape, with kernels covering the whole ear. Dohonotini is the name of this first seed corn,  and it is also the name of the place where the Black Cloud and the White Cloud met. The First World was small in size, a floating island in mist or water. On it there grew one tree, a pine tree, which was later brought to the present world for firewood. Man was not, however, in his present form. The conception was of a male and a female being who were to become man and woman. The creatures of the First World are thought of as the Mist People they had no definite form, but were to change to men, beasts, birds, and reptiles of this world. Now on the western side of the First World, in a place that

By |April 4th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Navajo Creation Story

Wahoo

Wahoo is a cross and circle board game similar to Parchisi that involves moving a set number of marbles around the board, trying to get them into the safety zone. The game is alleged to have originated in the Appalachian hills, but it is nearly identical to Mensch Ärgere Dich Nicht, a German board game originating in 1907. Most boards are used by four to six players. Wahoo has been a popular game for decades. Even today, custom-made boards proliferate on eBay and game manufacturer Parker Brothers has sold their own version of the game, under the title Aggravation, for decades. Number of Players: 2 to 6 Object: To be the first player to move all of the player’s individual marbles out of the starting area, around the board, and into home. Setting Up: Each player places his marbles in the starting area. After setting up, each player rolls the die. The highest number goes first, then play proceeds to the left. If two or more players roll the same number, they roll again to break the tie. Die: The die that is being used in the game must be a normal 6-sided die that has pointed corners. The sides of the die must be about a centimeter long so as not to catch in the divots in the board (if you are playing with the rule that the dice has to be rolled and stay on the board or you lose your turn). Playing: To move a marble out of the Starting Area to the Starting Position, a player must roll a 1 or a 6. The Starting Position is the space just outside, and to the left of, the Home Area. After rolling

By |March 7th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Wahoo

Tibetan Singing Bowl

Tibetan Singing Bowl These exotic and unique Tibetan Singing Bowls are used for meditation, healing, as musical instruments and objects of art. Traditionally, Tibetan practitioners use the singing bowls in ritual for heightening spiritual awareness, clearing force fields, balancing energy, healing and meditation. Our bowl was hand-made in Tibet with seven different metals including copper, nickle, brass, iron zinc, gold and silver. All these metals have healing energy and are mind from the mother earth. Singing bowls are found in many different grades and quality.  So, after many years of searching for the purest and a quality of sound that resonated with our spirits, we found one that is 70-80 years old that called to us. A good singing bowls is wise investment as you may enjoy it daily, treasure for ever and pass to the next generation with peace of mind. This hand-hammered bowl was made in the 1940-50's in Tibet and was hand carried by Thutop Yuthok, a native Tibetan who started out in life as a pastoral nomad in Tibet.   He writes, "My family used to live in Yak wool tent, herding yaks, horses and sheep just like our ancestors had done for thousands of years with great freedom and happiness. I was six years old in 1959 when the Communist China brutally invaded my homeland. More than 1.2 million fellow Tibetans died and more than six thousand Buddhist monasteries and temples were destroyed by the Communist China's military.  My family evaded Chinese troops for almost a year and then walked down to a refugee camp in Pokhara, Nepal. I went to school in the refugee camp and learned English from some of the first Peace Corps Volunteers sent aboard in early 1960's.

By |March 5th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Tibetan Singing Bowl

Chia and Pinole for Great Athletes Who Aren’t Great Runners

Ever since the publication of Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, a barefoot and minimalist running trend has swept America, based on the author’s examination of Mexico's Tarahumara people. He also talks of the benefits of eating two other "superfoods" for athletes. Pinole Pinole seems to describe any of a variety of forms of parched or roasted corn, ground into a flour and combined with water and some spices or sugar. It can be made into a drink, an oatmeal-like paste, or baked to form a more-portable “cake.” Here’s a recipe I made using regular cornmeal; you can change the proportions and spices to suit your taste. If you don’t want to toast your own corn, you can get pinole at Amazon.com. (Note: Masa harina is probably more authentic than cornmeal, since that corn has been treated with lime, the way the Tarahumara maize is.) Ingredients: 1/2 cup masa harina (harina preparada which is hominy finely ground for tortilla preparation, also makes a good batch) 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp brown sugar, honey, or agave nectar Toast the harina in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it turns light brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, mix in cinnamon, and sweetener or other spices, and desired amount of water.   If you add just a few tablespoons of water instead and mix, you get a porridge consistency. Some advise that, alternatively, you can bake the paste at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes until it has the texture of a brownie. This more portable form is better for carrying on a long run, and a good alternative to sugary energy gels.  However, it is crumbly and not my favorite preparation. Chia fresca recipe

By |March 2nd, 2018|Categories: Running, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Chia and Pinole for Great Athletes Who Aren’t Great Runners