So as the cold weather finally begins to reach Texas we find that we are beginning the seasonal blanketing of the horses. Although most horses adapt pretty well to cold weather, if they are not blanketed early in the season, we have some unique situations that we deal with here.
One of our horses is an Appaloosa. And as a breed they traditionally do not have a lot of hair. If you were to see our Jasper you would probably wonder what happened to him. His mane is only about 2 inches long and his tail maybe a foot. He has gotten his winter coat.....if you want to call it that.....but it is hardly sufficient to keep him warm when it gets particularly cold.
I love this time of year with horses though as they become all nice a fuzzy with their winter coats but it is important if you have special circumstances that you help them keep warm. We also blanket our old horses because it is sometimes harder for them to keep themselves warm.
Now about a blanket. There are many different kinds and colors. Which one to buy? First you have to measure your horse for the sizing. You measure from the middle of their chest to their tail.
Once you have figured out the size then you need to decide how heavy a blanket you need. This will depend on where you live and how cold it really gets. Here in Texas we do not have the bitter cold that I used to experience in Ohio. So the blanket we use is not the heaviest they make. You do not want to buy too warm of a blanket or the horse will sweat and that will defeat the purpose of the blanket.
ALSO....MAKE SURE IT IS WATERPROOF and not just weatherproof. They are not the same and you really need it to be waterproof.
When to blanket.......well here we start putting a blanket on our horses when it gets to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Sometimes we put it on a little warmer if it is going to be raining or really windy. Do not put it on if your horse is wet. Dry them in the barn before you put the blanket on them.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Daily scripture
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ Romans 15:13, NLT
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Daily scripture
Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'
~ Matthew 22:37-38, NLT
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
EPM or Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
Well today I come to you to discuss a possibly life threatening condition in horses. One of our horses with Blessings Ranch now has EPM so I thought I would share a little about it. It is carried by the Opossum.
EPM is an infection of the central nervous system of horses. The neurologic signs that it causes are most commonly asymmetric incoordination (ataxia), weakness and spasticity, although they may mimic almost any neurologic condition.
Clinical signs among horses with EPM include a wide array of symptoms that may result from primary or secondary problems. Some of the signs cannot be distinguished from other problems, such as
Airway abnormalities, such as laryngeal hemiplegia (paralyzed flaps), dorsal displacement of the soft palate (snoring), or airway noise of undetermined origin may result from protozoa infecting the nerves which innervate the throat. Apparent lameness, particularly atypical lameness or slight gait asymmetry of the rear limbs are commonly caused by EPM. Focal muscle atrophy, or even generalized muscle atrophy or loss of condition may result. Secondary signs also occur with neurologic disease. Upward fixation of the patella (locking up of the stifle) is among the most common findings among horses with neurologic disease. Another common side effect of EPM is back soreness, which can be severe. Even typical racing injuries may ultimately be caused by EPM, because horses which are uncoordinated are much more likely to "take a bad step" in racing or training. Therefore, any horse with these signs should be carefully evaluated for the presence of neurologic disease.
For further information go to this link
EPM is an infection of the central nervous system of horses. The neurologic signs that it causes are most commonly asymmetric incoordination (ataxia), weakness and spasticity, although they may mimic almost any neurologic condition.
Clinical signs among horses with EPM include a wide array of symptoms that may result from primary or secondary problems. Some of the signs cannot be distinguished from other problems, such as
Airway abnormalities, such as laryngeal hemiplegia (paralyzed flaps), dorsal displacement of the soft palate (snoring), or airway noise of undetermined origin may result from protozoa infecting the nerves which innervate the throat. Apparent lameness, particularly atypical lameness or slight gait asymmetry of the rear limbs are commonly caused by EPM. Focal muscle atrophy, or even generalized muscle atrophy or loss of condition may result. Secondary signs also occur with neurologic disease. Upward fixation of the patella (locking up of the stifle) is among the most common findings among horses with neurologic disease. Another common side effect of EPM is back soreness, which can be severe. Even typical racing injuries may ultimately be caused by EPM, because horses which are uncoordinated are much more likely to "take a bad step" in racing or training. Therefore, any horse with these signs should be carefully evaluated for the presence of neurologic disease.
For further information go to this link
Daily scripture
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
~ 1 Samuel 16:7, NLT
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Daily scripture
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
~ Isaiah 43:2, NLT
Monday, November 3, 2008
From Citizen Link--READ BEFORE YOU VOTE
A Chilling Look at an Obama Presidency
Focus on the Family Action
Liberals could dominate the government in a way they haven't in decades.
What are the stakes in the upcoming election?
Come Nov. 4, it's possible Democrats will control both chambers of Congress and the White House.
The Wall Street Journal said it "would be one of the most profound political and ideological shifts in U.S. history. Liberals would dominate the entire government in a way they haven't since 1965 or 1933."
An analysis by Focus on the Family Action shows it would not be a pretty picture:
Far-left liberals could hold a 6-3 majority on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The nation's highest court could rule same-sex "marriage" is a constitutional right — in all 50 states.
Preaching from the Bible could be banned from radio and television.
States may not be able to restrict abortion, and taxpayers could be forced to fund abortions.
In several states, it could be illegal to own a gun.
Think it can't happen?
Read the "Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America."
Focus on the Family Action
Liberals could dominate the government in a way they haven't in decades.
What are the stakes in the upcoming election?
Come Nov. 4, it's possible Democrats will control both chambers of Congress and the White House.
The Wall Street Journal said it "would be one of the most profound political and ideological shifts in U.S. history. Liberals would dominate the entire government in a way they haven't since 1965 or 1933."
An analysis by Focus on the Family Action shows it would not be a pretty picture:
Far-left liberals could hold a 6-3 majority on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The nation's highest court could rule same-sex "marriage" is a constitutional right — in all 50 states.
Preaching from the Bible could be banned from radio and television.
States may not be able to restrict abortion, and taxpayers could be forced to fund abortions.
In several states, it could be illegal to own a gun.
Think it can't happen?
Read the "Letter from 2012 in Obama’s America."
Daily scripture
Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.
~ Psalm 119:77, NLT
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Some thoughts on finding our purpose
Finding our purpose…..finding our glory
In his writings on life and work, Basil Pennington declares, “It is your life’s work to learn to think and act in accord with who you are by creation.”
In order for us to obtain our ultimate glory through God we must seek to be who He created us to be. If we can’t find out who He wanted us to be then we cannot figure out what our path should be.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Sometimes it is hard for us to accept that we are deserving of a better life. That we deserve good things. God’s plan was always to give to us in abundance and not withhold good things from us.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
God’s plan is to reveal His glory through us. Not for us just to see it. We are to be an instrument in demonstrating that.
Romans 8:30
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
God is calling us so that He can be glorified through us. Our call is our glory. It is why we are here.
Romans 9:23
What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory
We are the objects of his mercy and He has prepared us for glory. He wants to give us abundance here and in eternity. We do not have to wait until we reach heaven to have a taste of that.
Romans 11:29
for God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.
God does not make mistakes and His plan for us and our lives was not a mistake. He designed us for one purpose that only we can fill and He has given you the gifts and the call to fulfill that if you will only find out what it is.
Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
What in the world does this mean?? God is wanting us to realize that sometimes we need to be careful who we share our inner most dreams with. If we feel God is calling us to something you need to be careful who you choose to tell. Some people will try to take that from you and cast many a doubt on you about whether or not you can accomplish it. They will try to steal the dream away from you with their own negativity and Satan will use that for his purposes. Satan will try to make sure you do not fulfill your destiny. If he can do that then in some small way he has won the battle. He wants to make sure you do not fulfill your role in God’s plan.
In his writings on life and work, Basil Pennington declares, “It is your life’s work to learn to think and act in accord with who you are by creation.”
In order for us to obtain our ultimate glory through God we must seek to be who He created us to be. If we can’t find out who He wanted us to be then we cannot figure out what our path should be.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Sometimes it is hard for us to accept that we are deserving of a better life. That we deserve good things. God’s plan was always to give to us in abundance and not withhold good things from us.
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
God’s plan is to reveal His glory through us. Not for us just to see it. We are to be an instrument in demonstrating that.
Romans 8:30
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
God is calling us so that He can be glorified through us. Our call is our glory. It is why we are here.
Romans 9:23
What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory
We are the objects of his mercy and He has prepared us for glory. He wants to give us abundance here and in eternity. We do not have to wait until we reach heaven to have a taste of that.
Romans 11:29
for God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.
God does not make mistakes and His plan for us and our lives was not a mistake. He designed us for one purpose that only we can fill and He has given you the gifts and the call to fulfill that if you will only find out what it is.
Matthew 7:6
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
What in the world does this mean?? God is wanting us to realize that sometimes we need to be careful who we share our inner most dreams with. If we feel God is calling us to something you need to be careful who you choose to tell. Some people will try to take that from you and cast many a doubt on you about whether or not you can accomplish it. They will try to steal the dream away from you with their own negativity and Satan will use that for his purposes. Satan will try to make sure you do not fulfill your destiny. If he can do that then in some small way he has won the battle. He wants to make sure you do not fulfill your role in God’s plan.
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