Double Barrel Creek

08/21/2024

There have been multiple positive cases of EEE in NYS and other states this summer.
All of these horses that were infected were unvaccinated or undervaccinated.

EEE is transmitted by mosquitoes and is nicknamed the "sleeping sickness." It is a viral disease that causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord "encephalitis."
This disease is not new to the area. Each year there are positive horses, almost every case being unvaccinated. There were 9 cases of EEE and 5 cases of west nile virus recorded in horses in 2023.

It is VERY important to make sure your horses are up to date on their core vaccinations BEFORE mosquito season. This disease is more prevalent in late summer and early fall. Horses that have been vaccinated within the last year should have adequate protection, however if it has been greater than 6 months horse can be have an additional for additional caution. There are also positive cases of West Nile in the area, but they are less fatal than EEE (up to 40%).

Symptoms include:
Anorexia + Depression
High Fever
Lethargy + Drowsiness
Acute onset of neurologic signs - ataxia, tremors of head and neck, head tilt, droopy lip, convulsions, recumbent/paralysis

There is no treatment for EEE and it has a 95% fatality rate.
Death will occur within 2-3 days of onset of clinical signs.

Prevention:
Vaccination
Mosquito control
- Removing any unnecessary standing water
- Applying fly spray liberally and frequently

Other resources:
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/eastern-equine-encephalitis
The Equine Disease Communication Center is a great resource for updates on infectious diseases.

https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EEE_DZ_Guidelines_Final_2023.pdf
The American Association of Equine Practitioners has many client resources on different diseases and disorders.

08/15/2024

Have you ever been told to not allow a hot, sweaty horse to drink cold water because it could lead to colic, founder or tie up?

This notion is actually a myth, and a dangerous one too, because it could lead to dehydration and very serious (and real) consequences. A sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated without delay (i.e. don’t wait for the horse to cool down first).

The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time — because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by many factors, but the average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at all times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/.../offering-a-horse-water...

08/14/2024

For my fellow barn owners/ trainers out there!

Lessons learned long and hard in the horse business as a professional..

1. It's easy to fall in love with your customers. They become a family who you spend a lot of time with. However, in the end they will do what's best for themselves. And, for you and them, those paths may not be the same. Prepare to get your heart broken. Keep business and personal relationships separate.

2. People will not always trust in your experience and will second guess you. They will think they know better because they read it in a book, or saw it online. Don't try to be all things to all people. Do what you are good at. Run your barn in a way that you can sleep at night knowing that you did right in your mind by them and their horses. The clients opinion of that may be different than your beliefs, but you have to live with choices that leave you at peace. That may mean confrontation, hard conversations and even asking people to move on for your own peace.

3. Horses are easy 99% of the time. It's the people who come with them that make things complicated.

4. Remember that horses need to be horses.

5. People will always judge you, and have opinions. The better you are, the more haters will have opinions.

6. Success isn't measured by ribbons and show placings. It's measured in happy animals and the quality of their lives.

7. There is always an exception or quirk that doesn't " follow the rules" in horse care. Do what works, not what the books say works.

8. When you get annoyed by seeing somebody's car pull in to the barn, it's time to let that person move on. Your barn should be a happy place. It literally only takes one bad sour apple to ruin the whole atmosphere and dynamic in a barn.

9. Let it go.... if someone moves on don't be upset by it. Ignore what they say. Don't take it personally. Every barn is not a good fit for every person.

10. This is a business. If a person or horse isn't working for you, or the compensation isn't offsetting your cost, it's time for them to go. The exception to this is your retired horses, see #11.

11. Horses only have so many jumps, so many runs, so many rides. Don’t waste your horses. Teach your students they aren’t machines. You owe it to your retired horses to have a safe, comfortable and dignified end. Your schoolies worked for you. When the time comes they can no longer do that, either give them a pleasant retirement, or put them in the ground where you know they are safe. Do not dump them at auctions or onto other people where you are not 100% sure that they will be cared for.

12. There is no shame in euthanasia for a horse owner. Always better a week too early then a second too late. Do not judge anyone for their reasons for doing this.

13. Most clients fall Into two categories. Those who are "high maintenance", open in their opinions and will confront situations head on. The second is the quiet type who will not say a word and will not openly talk with you about their expectations or issues. You have no idea they have a problem until it's too late. The people in between these two are the clients you want. They will be long term and make life easy.

14. Know your worth. KNOW YOUR WORTH. Your time and experience has a monetary value. Don't do things for free, even if you like the person. Every bit of time or effort you give to clients has value. So when you don't value your effort, neither will a client. They will come to expect "freebies", which always leads to resentment from someone.

15. Be honest. It's not always easy. But in this business it takes forever to build reputation and seconds to destroy it.

16. Remember horses are dangerous. Always use your best judgment and air on the side of caution when working with horses and students. Their lives and your own life can change in an instant.

17. Get paid up front. Keep good records. People don't go to the grocery store and ask for food they will pay for next week. Good business practices keep everyone honest and sets boundaries for clients.

18. Normalize passing on price increases. Service industries, especially ones like ours always "feel guilty " when raising prices. You are not there to subsidize someone else's horse habit. Prices have been going up on costs, so should your fees.

19. The buck stops with you. Your employees mistakes fall back to your responsibility. Always verify and check on important care aspects of daily activities.

20. Make time for family and rest. Too many of us get burnt out from the stress of expectations in this industry. In the end, boarders and students come and go. Your family is who you will have left.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. I hope it can help support some of you feeling burnt out, and maybe help some people who are starting out in their journey into this industry.

Written by Rhea Distefano

07/15/2024

Thank you Buck Brannaman for fixing a “people problem” and for the experience of a lifetime for this horseman.

06/10/2024

06/10/2024

Pat them. Pat them pat them pat them. If your horse even thinks about thinking about how to think about the thing you want him to think about, PAT HIM. Praise every right thing, all of the time.

DO NOT ‘make the right thing easy and make the wrong thing hard’.

JUST MAKE THE RIGHT THING EASY, and forget about any botched efforts or wrong answers. Don’t take it personally if the horse doesn’t get it right first time. He doesn’t speak your language. He doesn’t understand your ambitions. He doesn’t understand conflict through the lens of human interpretation. He just knows how to horse, yet he is willing to learn, adapt and change for YOU. Make sure you do the same for HIM.

Horses are the only animal on the planet willing to try for us and to give us everything they have, for absolutely no return for themselves whatsoever.

If you do not foster the horse’s desire to try, you will lose this most precious gift.

06/08/2024

Exactly

06/01/2024

74 likes, 2 comments. Check out backyardbarnblog’s video.

03/20/2024

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

02/26/2024

Your horse doesn’t care what you wear to the barn.

Your horse doesn’t care if you “use them to their full potential” and take them to lots of shows.

They also don’t care if you let them get a little dirty, if you leave them unclipped and “scraggly” by competition standards.

Your horse doesn’t care about superficial, materialistic views that are human centred.

But, they do care about the tone and volume of voice you use to speak to them.

Whether you sound angry and scary or soft and kind.

They do care whether they feel safe around you, and if they are comfortable and relaxed in your presence.

They care whether the tack and equipment you use causes them pain.

They care if the rides they have with you are full of stress and uncertainty or made up of clarity and kindness.

They also care whether or not the facility you keep them at appropriately meets their needs.

They care if they get to interact with other horsey friends or not.

They care if their life is comprised of staring at the wall of a stall, or looking longingly outdoors, rather than being able to wander around in a larger paddock or field…

Your horse doesn’t care if their whiskers are clipped nice and clean (in fact, he’d probably prefer you leave his sensory organs alone).

They don’t care if they amount to anything in the show ring.

They don’t care if their entire life’s purpose is made up of just being your friend, they don’t care if this means they don’t win any medals.

Your horse doesn’t care about superficiality and status.

They care about how you treat them and whether or not the care you provide them adequately meets their needs.

02/25/2024

Listening is 🗝️

02/09/2024

Friday wisdom...

01/08/2024

New year, new stalls! Thanks, Erho Equine!

12/29/2023

My name is Ellie and I'm reaching out for help for my mom's horse, Sully. Last year Sully was prescribed Equ… Ellie Woznica needs your support for Save Sully

12/05/2023

When a horse is sure that his needs will be met, he can feel good about himself. That's at the core of . You can see it. win.
~Ruthann

10/23/2023

You don't have to ride your horse. It's ok if you don't ride your horse. It is not a requirement of horse ownership that you RIDE your horse.

I often hear people talk -
"(name) NEVER rides his/her horse! I don't know why (name) bothers having a horse, why does (name) spend all that money on board, and farrier, and veterinarian, and vaccinations and NEVER ride their horse? What a waste of money!"

First of all, it's none of their business what (name) does with his/her horse and his/her money. None.

Secondly, so what? Who care's?? If the horse is happy and well taken care of, then it's all good. I promise you that the horse is not standing in it's stable saying to itself "Oh I wish (name) would come ride me!". or "Oh goody, here comes (name) to take me for a gallop". Horses don't function like that. Horses look for and require food, water, shelter and companionship. Being ridden is not on their list of daily requirements for survival.

To be honest, I have a lot of respect for people who don't ride their horses, but are still willing to spend the necessary money, time and effort it takes to be a conscientious horse owner.

Maybe (name) has good reason not to ride, perhaps they have physical limitations, or too many demands on their time, or perhaps they just don't want to ride. Perhaps they struggle with their confidence and prefer groundwork, perhaps they don't like to ride or work with their horse when no one else is around. Perhaps they really just like to own a horse and derive as much enjoyment just being a horse owner, providing a good life for a horse they love and want to support, for as long as they can.

Perhaps we should not judge what people do with their horses, (or don't do), as long as those horses are well taken care of.

So next time someone says to you that they own a horse, but they don't ride, don't give them that stare of disbelief, don't put them down or make snide remarks. Instead, praise them for being a dedicated horse owner, for being willing to do what is necessary for a horse to have a good life, for being a good person, regardless of what they do, or don't do, with their horse.

Horses need good people, not all good horse people ride.

09/29/2023

https://carsonjames.com

08/28/2023

Dearest Riders,

Please let me remind you of something very important. Horse showing, riding and training are insanely difficult. If you have a crappy ride, a less than stellar show ring result (or if you made your trainer want to pull their hair out today), it just means there's more to learn. The people who had good rides today are not exempt from disappointing rides tomorrow. They also have bad days and, if they're very experienced riders, they've had a whole bunch of bad days.

There will always be someone out there on a more talented horse, someone with a bigger bank account, someone who never struggled to learn to sit the trot...life isn't fair. You probably can't win the lottery or grow 5 more inches of leg. You can, however, wake up every morning and be thankful that you're able to ride horses. Work hard at becoming the best rider you can be with the body and the bank account that you have right now. Work at being the rider your horse wants up there on his back. Your horse's opinion of your riding is more valuable than any judge's opinion could ever be.

08/26/2023

*FIELD ORNAMENTS*

"I really love my horse but I don't have the time /lost the confidence to ride him - I don't want to part with him but I feel so guilty that he's being wasted in the field when I know he's got so much potential - he could be an amazing horse for someone" - I see these sentences on the horse groups constantly.

Humans are feeling guilty for not riding their horses.

Humans actually believing that horses are having their potential wasted if they're not ridden.

Many of these humans will part with their horse plainly and simply because of the pressure that the society puts on them to ride the horses. The pressure from friends and family - "why don't you ride him ? If he's not ridden you're wasting your money / he'd be better off with someone who will give him the time he needs (to be ridden). "

People need to wake up. Horses are not born to be ridden. Riding and using horses in a means of transport /working animals are over (at least in the modern world) - we have cars, bikes, train , airplanes, machines.

Horses now are used mostly for our own entertainment - whether it's taking part in competitions or riding for pleasure. Back in the day our quality of life / means of making money dependent on horses. Our future dependent on them - they were used in wars for centuries.

Now their lives depend on us.

When you feel you can't ride anymore for any reason please understand that it's ok.

You don't need to ride - more - your horse's happiness is not rooted it being ridden - you will find it's actually quite opposite.

If you have all the abilities to keep your horse despite not riding him please do so - only this way you will ensure his future.

There are so many exciting ways to be with horses that don't involve riding - going on walks together, spending time in the field, playing cognitive games, finding ways to enrich their lives.

Please be your horse's best friend, forever - just like he's been yours ....

There is nothing wrong with *field ornaments*

07/11/2023

👏👏👏

06/07/2023

Update:

AQI up to 227. Still have the strong smell of smoke smell outside, but not inside the barn.

Horses have been given more fresh water and more hay. All are happily munching in front of their fans for airflow.

We just have an angry barn cat who doesn’t understand why he is not allowed outside!

Stay safe!

06/07/2023

AQI currently hovering around 195 and expected to get worse before it gets better.

Horses are all safe inside with lots of fans and lots fresh water and hay. Smells of smoke outside, but not inside the barn, so we are very grateful.

Absolutely no riding or exercising horses of any kind will be allowed. 

Our thoughts are with all of those fighting wildfires. Praying for rain. ❤️

05/26/2023

I never want a horse to be so submissive to me that he ignores his animal instincts and his gut when it comes to his safety.

05/24/2023

04/30/2023

Very true👍

04/17/2023

I would never wish what I went through this past year on anyone, but no matter what happens with you, don’t have any rider’s regret.

04/16/2023

The ponies are loving night turnout and we are loving the views! 🌌🌠❤️

04/12/2023

Shop Horse Shirts and Things! by HorseShirtsandThings located in Gillett, Pennsylvania.

04/10/2023

Happy Monday from Berkeley and Batman! 💕☀️