SHOW BLING: Are Glitz and Glam Still In??

The western world of show is one that many seek to learn, one that few completely conquer, and one that will never stop changing.

Rewind ten years. Typical western show rings on both local and national levels were filled with a craze of Hobby Horse. I have nothing against Hobby Horse (in fact they make many of my show shirts and my chaps), but they have certainly taken the industry by storm. I get their bright, crisp, and extremely user friendly catalogs regularly, and honestly, I am astonished at some of the tops that have become so popular.

The key to most Hobby Horse clothing, which is simply following a craze, is B-L-I-N-G. Another trend that is popping up is animal print. Bling and animal print are adorning world champions.

As much fun as these shiny shirts are, the question is worth considering... Is fashion changing?

Some think that Hobby Horse has a strangle hold on the shows and that their increasingly blingy tops are not a wave of the past, but a staple of the future. Others have a differing opinion.

After an IHSA show at St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, NC, one of the most respected female judges in the AQHA said it bluntly... She doesn't care about bling.

While western pleasure classes have earned notorious reputations for placing the most silver highest in the ribbons, she is sticking to her guns and pushing less shine, and more equine.

A nice show shirt (which will often still run you a pretty penny for quality apparel) and tasteful accessories show a nicer horsemanship package, and less of a runway show. This is what many of the breed certified judges are leaning toward.

Blingy blouses and shimmering jewelry are certainly still "all the rage," but fashion is also due for a shift. It could shift to the more ostentatious outfits that are starting to surface. But, the shift could be much more unexpected. If the right pair go out and win the world in a simple getup, what turn will fashion take?

A Not-So-Perfect Storm

As horse people, we all have underlying animosity toward storms. While some of us may enjoy the light show and soothing rumbles of thunder, storms are a very serious thing. Even if you are a horse person that is less concerned about your animals in the weather, the flooding and mud that these natural beasts bring are at the very least a nuisance.

This blog comes to you today, not only because I look out my window to see dark clouds and pouring rain, but from a sad story that is making its way around the nation via Facebook, twitter, Parelli, and news stations.

Enter Kali. She is a young girl from Colorado. Her two horses, Bio and Patchy, were struck by lightning and killed. Parelli has stepped up to the plate for the horse community and is helping Kali and her family search for a new horse. (Please visit Parelli's website for more information. Additionally, if anyone would like to help Kali, please get in touch with the right people through this site: www.shareparelli.com/node/7750 )

Now that I have the attention of those who were thinking to themselves, "Storms aren't great, but they aren't that bad for the horses," I will continue.

Lightning works in mysterious ways. Well, sort of. Actually, there are mountains of information about lightning and how it functions. While there is a science to lightning, (most of which my "comm major" mind can't understand), I like to think of the bolts of electricity like fire.

In the movie Backdraft, the fire inspector explains that fire is a live thing. It thinks, it behaves with a mind. While I understand that lightning does not have a brain, per say, the fire inspector continues that to kill it, you have to love it a little. While you can learn in the books that fire needs oxygen and functions in this way or that, there are some unexplainable parts to its behavior. I believe this is very true of lightning as well.

BUT, there are precautions that you can take to protect yourself, (and more importantly for some of us) your horses.

1) Watch the weather! People can be so anal about this in the winter when blanketing, but forget how important it is in the summer. Even though you are concerned with subzero overnight temperatures, you should be concerned about your horses overheating during the day, and getting caught with no shelter in a thunderstorm.

2) Plan! If you watch the weather and there is a possible chance of a severe thunderstorm, plan your attack. IF the storm is coming before feeding time and the horses are out, should you bring them in before, or wait? IF the storm is coming after feeding time and usually turn out at night, do you keep them in because of the chance? IF you put them out and the storm comes, are you going to be able to get them in safely? If you know you have to go to a dinner function and won't be back until 11 pm, it's probably a good idea to bring in/leave in, just in case. Better safe than sorry is cliche advice because it is good advice. If you're going to be sitting around the house, able to check the sky every so often, it may be worth while to let the 4-legged kids out for a few hours of grazing out of the heat of the day. All of these answers are things to consider when you make your game plan.

3) Execution! While some may think the execution of bringing in during a thunderstorm is easy, those of us who have brought in crazy horses, or a herd of horses, know sometimes the truth is otherwise. If you have an adequate plan, when the wind picks up and you hear thunder in the distance, your horses with be tucked safely away, or you will have your boots on and power-walking to the barn. A few bits of advice from experience: First, sometimes it takes longer to take shortcuts from your routine. Bringing in 7 horses at one time when you usually take 2 could end with you chasing horses around in a storm. Keep in mind, the entire purpose of this task is to protect your precious animals, not to put on a show for the neighbors. Second, bring a towel to the barn. You may think you can beat the rain, and perhaps you will. BUT, if you end up drenched and stranded in your barn, you'll probably want to dry off. Third, if you have herding dogs and you feel comfortable doing so, leave them in the house. The weather tends to make the horses and the dogs more... energetic... shall we say. Don't make more issues for yourself.

These simple things are often forgotten by horse owners. Above all else, a good and effective plan is important. If you have a plan of action, no matter what happens, you'll be ready.

For those who have boarding barns, keep in mind you are the responsible party. I know it is no fun cleaning 32 stalls in the morning when the summer is usually a feed-only morning schedule, but waking up to a boarders animal down in your field is much worse.

For those who don't have a barn (myself included), you need some sort of shelter for your horse. I have a huge run-in shelter where my mare can easily get out of the weather. I understand not having the commodities many people take for granted at big boarding barns, but it doesn't excuse your responsibility as an owner. Take precautions, and do the best you can.

Lightning is not a joke. It can be fun to watch, makes really pretty sculptures in sand, strikes metal and water easiest, and often kills when it comes into contact with a living thing. While you sit warm under a blanket watching a summer storm, keep in mind that your horses are confined to where you keep them. Be considerate. You'll never realize how much of a difference it makes, until the one time you decide not to, and then, you may never forgive yourself.

Photo courtesy of http://www.windsun.com/

Ticks of the Trade

The Common Horse Tick

Welcome back everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in so long. As many of my followers know, I am a college student, and I have been very busy with school, work, and free lance work! All good news!

Today, let's talk about ticks of the trade!

As many of you know from first hand experience, ticks were extremely bad this year. If there's one thing I can't stand more than a deer fly, it's a practically microscopic blood sucker.

Different horses react differently to tick bites. Some have little to show for a bite, and the insect often goes unnoticed. Others will start to itch the location of the bite, giving a signal to the bipeds in their lives that something is amiss. Then there are those like my mare.

When Lucky gets a tick, she swells up in an hour or less, completely hiding the tick that is attached to her with a hard knot. While some would expect this degree of swelling to cause pain, the truth is, she will scratch her skin off in minutes if she gets the chance. In this sort of a situation, there are two huge concerns. 1) Get the tick off. 2) Heal the wound she has created.

1) GET THE TICK OFF!

While this may seem like a simple task, it isn't. When a horse's body decides it is going to encompass an attack, it makes removing it very difficult. And most importantly, DON'T FORGET THE HEAD. While you may feel confident that you have hold of the ticks body, you have to be cautious when pulling. Especially when a high degree of swelling is involved, it is not uncommon for you to pull and get the body, and leave the head attached. When this happens, the infectious suckers are still deep in the horse's hide. My personal treatment for this crazy situation is a drawing salve, known as Ichthammol. This substance smells like motor oil and grease, but IT WORKS!!!! And, helpful fact, it can be used on humans too. This ointment will pull out infection, and small objects. SO, next time you have a splinter, rub a little on, and be amazed. I caution people when using this in tick season, because it is usually hot. When the jar heats up in the sun, the result is a gooey mess, so wear gloves.

2) HEAL THE WOUND!

Now that you have used Ichthammol to draw out the beginning of any infection and the tick, it's time to kick into healing overdrive. Even when ticks bite in random areas, like the tail, it can cause enough discomfort to not only irritate your horse, but also to ruin your ride. Let's use the tail example shall we? I use this because it is typically one of the worst damages Lucky does to herself as a result of a tick infestation. The average situation involves a swollen area all along her vulva, oozing yellow infected puss, and scrapes where she has worn away her hair and often, her skin. This wound releases a lot of heat, and is a pain to treat. The biggest issue is keeping it treated without making it itch more. This can prove difficult, and every horse is different. Lucky's care includes a mixture of Furazone, Ichthammol, and Bag Balm. If possible, you will want to wash the tail and buttocks regions, because having these ointments smeared all over creates quite the mess.

Lastly, keep an eye on your horse. Even though ticks are common, you never know when one bite may trigger a more serious reaction. There is controversial evidence supporting both sides of the horse Lyme disease argument. Some scientists claim horses can't get the illness from ticks, and other stand firm that it is a concern. One thing is for sure, they can become very ill with

equine piroplasmosis, which affects the red blood cells.

As we draw close to fall, a different wave of ticks will arise, and you will find yourself out in the field, searching your horses over for pesky insects. Stock up on the ointments you need so when the ticks of the trade strike, you'll be ready and armed!