Bits & Peaces

01/21/2025

It doesn’t need to be perfect. 🙌🏼

01/20/2025

01/17/2025

Look for it! 🙌🏼

01/12/2025

❤️

SENSORY HAIRS

The FEI has determined that any measures to trim or shave off a horse's sensory hairs, including whiskers, eyelashes and the hairs of the inner ear, is not permitted and shall lead to an elimination of the combination for the competition's duration.

Sensory hairs are of extreme importance for proprioception for the horse. They aid the horse's ability to judge distance and navigate in the dark. It has been shown that trimming or shaving these hairs leads to increased susceptibility to injury.

01/11/2025

Seems legit. 🤷🏻‍♀️

01/11/2025

The Effect of a Nervous Human.... one of my favorite studies!

Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences looked at the effect of an increased heart rate in a human on the horse they were riding or handling.

Here's a link from the abstract... "Each horse–human pair walked or rode between points A and B (30 m) four times on each test occasion.

However, just before the fourth pass, participants were told that an umbrella⛱ would be opened as they rode, or led, the horse past the assistant.

The umbrella was not opened, so this pass was no different to the previous control occasions, but nevertheless there was an increase in HR for both the person AND the horse."

We affect our horses.

When looking at any training "issue", our first responsibility is to to know ourselves and explore if there's something we could do better.

Here's a link to the research article, unfortunately I couldn't find a full text version easily available online, but you can read the rest of the abstract here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S109002330900121X?via%3Dihub

01/04/2025

Do more of what you love in 2025. ♥🐴

01/03/2025

All items of tack for sale are now posted under the comments in the previous post. All prices are obo.

01/02/2025

NEW YEAR MERCHANDISE AND TACK PURGE!!!

Will be posting items throughout the day. Discounted hats, shirts and LOTS of horse tack.

All funds raised benefit the rescue horses. Must Venmo immediately to hold. Must be able to pickup in Belvidere, TN.

12/31/2024

Your horses first line of defense from the cold should be unlimited access to good quality hay!

But there are some cases where a rain sheet or blanket can help our seniors or horses without adequate shelter. Please be diligent in your research before you blanket your horses if you never have. Lots of accidents can happen from blanketing your horse if they are not conditioned to one or they are fitted improperly (and even sometimes when you do everything right 🫠).

Here are some references if you need more information:

https://www.smartpakequine.com/content/horse-blanket-guide

12/31/2024

Start prepping to put out extra hay! If anyone local needs a blanket for one of your senior horses and you can’t get one by then, please reach out and I’ll see if I have a spare one in the size you need.

This graphic shows the long range forecast... January 8th - January 14th. This is the official forecast from the Climate Prediction Center. I have overlayed the High Risk for Much Colder than normal temps with the pink outline that shows a slight risk for heavy snow. There is no guarantee for either but this trend is something to keep an eye on. I would make sure you are prepared for much colder weather. Make sure you have plenty of propane or firewood if needed. Think about about what you needed last January when we had that big sleet/snow followed by extreme cold.
This will likely change over time so keep checking back.
Winter in Alabama. Expect the unexpected.

12/29/2024

12/23/2024

You won’t regret it!

12/21/2024

This is an ideal moment to look at your life and see what’s working and what isn’t.

The winter solstice is a time for reflection and celebration.

It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the promise of renewed life.

This is a time to go within and integrate what has happened during the past year.

For thousands upon thousands of years, cultures across the earth have recognized the solstices and the equinoxes as sacred times.

Whether it is the beginning of your winter or summer the Solstice offers an opportunity to embrace endings in your life and view them as essential transitions for personal growth.

This is a day of both reflection and celebration.

This is day to honor, remember, and once again embrace our connection to nature, the sun, ourselves and the ancient past.

12/21/2024

The measure of a man
is not his muscles or money
The true strength of a man
is most evident when
his soul shines and
no one is looking
~ Michael Traveler, author/poet
Photo by David R. Stoecklein
http://stoeckleinphotography.com/

12/20/2024

🎅 Big News from the North Pole! 🎄

Attention, Tennessee! 🎉 We've just received some jolly good news—Santa Claus has officially been cleared to travel into our beautiful state! 🛷✨

After a thorough veterinary inspection, Santa's trusty herd of reindeer is all set and healthy for their magical journey on the big night. 🦌🎁

So, hang your stockings, leave out the MILK and cookies, and get ready for a festive Christmas Eve! 🎅🍪🎄

Spread the cheer and let your friends know the countdown to Santa’s arrival has officially begun! 🎉🥳

12/20/2024

Just do it! You won’t regret it. Merry Christmas to your horses.

12/20/2024

CHECK IT OUT!! We officially have a website! A huge thank you to Deanna Snell for all of her hard work. Our new website will be a hub for featuring new intakes, adoptable horses, upcoming events and more. Thank you so very much for all of your continued support over the years. Because of you, we continue to grow and better serve those around us.

www.bitsandpeaces.org

Send a message to learn more