How to make LUNGING FUN again
Choosing a BARN DOG
EMERGENCY
Creating & maintaining
acupressure tips
How and when to COMPENSATE FOR FAILING PASTURES
SPLINT BONES: Why it’s vital to keep them healthy
VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4
DISPLAY UNTIL SEPT 31, 2017
$5.95 USA/Canada
August/September 2017
SUSTAINABLE TRAILS
MUST-KNOW barn safety tips for
you The 500 MILE PROJECT
Helping combat veterans and wild horses find clarity, together
EquineWellnessMagazine.com Equine Wellness
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FEATURES 10 MAKING THE MOST OF
YOUR LUNGING SESSIONS
Lunging doesn’t have to be boring for you or your horse. Here are some fun ways to switch up your lunging routine!
14 YOUR HORSE’S SPLINT
BONE His splint bone may be small and apparently without function, but lack of proper support can lead to painful and frustrating injuries in your horse. This article focuses on the splint bone’s true function, and how to keep it healthy.
18 CREATING AND
MAINTAINING EQUESTRIAN TRAILS Most horses and their riders
enjoy a relaxing ride out on the trails. Good trails are a privilege, and how we treat them can make a big difference to their sustainability.
20 HOOF CLEANING BASICS
Cleaning out your horse’s feet is one of the first things you learn as a rider, but many people neglect it after a while. Get back to basics with this vital horsekeeping task!
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Conte 26 24 ACUPRESSURE TO THE RESCUE! Acupressure can be a
lifesaver for your horse in emergency situations such as colic, shock and/or injury.
26 THE 500 MILES PROJECT
The Heroes and Horses program addresses the challenges facing both combat veterans and wild horses by empowering them to work as a team.
30 BIOSECURITY:
DESIGNING THE PROTECTED EQUESTRIAN FACILITY
Preventing the spread of disease is a constant concern among equestrians, especially at busy barns where horses are always coming and going. Here are some ways to make biosecurity more manageable when building or renovating your facility.
34 HOW TO HIRE A
CANINE FARMHAND
With so many breeds to choose from, selecting your next barn dog can seem daunting. Here are some tips to help you pick the perfect pup!
38 COMPENSATE FOR
FAILING PASTURES Your horse’s pasture is important to him, and its quality can greatly affect his health and happiness. Help your pastures thrive with these maintenance tips.
42 BARN SAFETY – IT’S
IMPORTANT FOR YOU, TOO! Working with horses can be
rewarding and enjoyable, but barn chores can take a toll on your body over time. These essential barn safety strategies will help you protect yourself.
48 NEW INNOVATIONS
AND SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR HORSE TRAILER
Your trailer carries some very precious cargo – help keep your horses safe with these tips and equipment.
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DEPARTMENTS 6 Editorial
COLUMNS
41 Product picks
8 Neighborhood news
46 Equine Wellness resource guide
45 Herb blurb
52 Business profile:
53 Green acres
Glacier Peak Holistics
55 Heads up
54 Acupressure at-a-glance
58 Marketplace
56 To the rescue
60 Classifieds
62 Minute horsemanship
60 Book review 61 Events
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HOW TO HIRE A CANINE FARMHAND By Jenifer Vickery
WITH SO MANY BREEDS TO CHOOSE FROM, SELECTING YOUR NEXT BARN DOG CAN SEEM DAUNTING. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU PICK THE PERFECT PUP!
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Equine Wellness
Everyone is excited! It’s time to welcome a new dog to the farm. But with nearly 200 AKC-recognized breeds, the choices can be overwhelming. Choosing the perfect farm dog goes beyond a quick trip to the local shelter, finding the cutest puppy on PetFinder, or searching for a beagle breeder just because your family always had beagles.
For lifelong success, you need to start by asking yourself this question: which dog will you enjoy owning today, tomorrow and for many years to come? To answer, you must honestly assess what traits and qualities you like and need from a dog, and what you are capable of providing him or her. You may also need to rein in your impulses and invest in some research time to minimize the risk of bringing the “wrong” dog home. That said, don’t overlook the emotional and aesthetic appeal of breeds that catch your eye. Though looks aren’t everything, they do matter – to a point. Pre-purchase or preadoption, there’s a lot to consider! Let’s take it step-by-step so you’re prepared to start your search.
WHAT MAKES YOUR TAIL WAG? Not to be superficial, but what canine looks catch your eye? Let’s make a fun list. At this point, you have permission to throw sensibility to the wind. Flip through dog books. Watch some funny online dog videos. Don’t worry about descriptions; simply write down the top ten breeds that make you smile. We’ll narrow your choices and discuss their appropriateness later. For now, the pet store is wide open! Have your list? It probably includes some of the more traditional barn breeds like confident Pembroke Welsh Corgi or feisty Jack Russell Terrier. Maybe the “smarter than your fifth grader” Border Collie, the athletic Australian Cattle Dog or the loyal Australian Shepherd is on your list? You might even be considering natural livestock guardians like the impressive Great Pyrenees or the majestic Maremma. Perhaps you chose traditional favorites such as the Labrador and/or Golden Retriever. There are probably a few surprises thrown in too, breeds not stereotypically regarded as classic Continued on page 36. GREAT PYRENEES
JACK RUSSELL
AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG
LABRADOR BORDER COLLIE
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
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