Song of the Day! City and Colour - The Girl

This is the song that my brother is going to play for me on his acoustic guitar as my dad walks me down the aisle :)



**Section 1**

I wish I could do better by you,
Cause thats what you deserve.
You sacrifice so much of your whole life,
In order for this to work.

While I'm off chasing my own dreams,
Sailing around the world,
Please know that I'm yours to keep,
My beautiful girl.

When you cry a piece of my heart dies,
Knowing that I may have been the cause,
If you were to leave, fulfil someone else's dreams,
I think I might totally be lost.

You don't ask for no diamond rings,
No delicate string of pearls,
That's why I wrote this song to sing,
My beautiful girl.

**Section 2**

I wish I could do better by you,
Cause It's what you deserve.
You sacrifice so much of your life,
In order for this to work.

While I'm off chasing my own dreams, (my own dreams)
Sailing around the world, (around the world)
Please know that I'm yours to keep,
My beautiful girl.

When you cry a piece of my heart dies,
Knowing that I may have been the cause,
If you were to leave, fulfil someone else's dreams,
I think I might totally be lost.

But you don't ask for no diamond rings, (diamond rings)
No delicate string of pearls, (string of pearls)
That's why I wrote this song to sing,
My beautiful girl.

But you don't ask for no diamond rings, diamond rings
No delicate string of pearls, string of pearls
That's why I wrote this song to sing,
My beautiful girl.

Barn Construction!

Super excited! Picked up tin to fix the hole in the roof, bought a power tool kit by Dewalt to get the job done right, bought paint to paint the living room of my new farmhouse, and I have my first boarder who is super awesome about paying her bills on time! We'll be patching the roof this weekend in the barn, hopefully finishing the run-in stalls, and working out leveling ground for the arena if I'm lucky! Can't wait!

New Hat!

I just got myself a new barn hat :) Haha, I'm a little excited about it!

Vacation!

We are down in Pensacola for the weekend! Contentment, happiness, and fun!

New Barn Cat! Name Suggestions?

This is our new, ridiculously pretty barn cat. Poor guy is 6 or 7 years old and has always been a housepet, but since he cannot follow a litterbox routine, his previous owners rehomed him with us! He makes me think of a lion because of his tawny coat :)

Run-in stalls!

I am excited! They're rough and they aren't finished, but they at least are up and should make feeding a little easier!

Ish ish ish... Ishara?

Amy's pretty girl :) Chowing down, building her weight back up. She's a dear, sweet thing!

It bites!

Mark and I cleared out this old bathtub that we're going to use as a water trough, and we found two skinks! I caught them to release them elsewhere, but one of them bit me! I managed to get a few decent pictures anyway :)

Interlopers!

Haha, the new boys (and girl, Cappucina is a mare) milling around the barn. They're so funny! Blaze is a black-bay QH, Whiskey is a chestnut mustang, and Cappucina is a bay arabian. Blaze and Whiskey belong to a client of Amy's, and Cappucina belongs to Amy. I call them interlopers because they're newbies and they LOVE to go where they don't belong in the barn yard!

Ivan's First REAL Trail Ride!

Haha, Ivan's first REAL trail ride, as in out on an actual trail through the woods instead of just mucking about in an open field. He was fabulous! Led the way over the first bridge like a champ, allowed himself to be hand led across the covered bridge on the second bridge crossing, then took the covered bridge again under saddle without hesitation! So proud of my boy :)

Equine Insurance: Is it a good idea for you?

Equine Insurance for Horse Owners

 [1]

Story by Bob Welch

Everything You Need to Know About Equine Insurance

You've finally found a horse that's working for you. A horse you can count on. You've either spent a good deal of time getting him to the point he's at, or you've spent a good deal of your hard-earned money to find one that fits you. Bottom line: if you've got a good horse, you've got a lot invested in him. Good horses don't just happen.

So why not protect your horse with insurance should anything happen? Equine mortality insurance is one of several types of horse insurance now available to horse owners. Be financially prepared when injuries or even death affect you and your horse.

If you've finally found the horse that fits you, considering insurance to protect your investment of time and money is a must. Photo by Robert Dawson.

Equine insurance is not something new, but it's not an industry standard, either. Some ropers and rodeo hands carry insurance and others do not.

Reigning Wrangler NFR [3] Average Champion Chad Masters does, and has experienced the sting of losing an uninsured horse.

"My dad's best friend let me borrow a $20,000 calf horse," he said. "I had him insured the whole time I was roping on him, then we went to the Northwest and I left him at home."

Because he wasn't hauling him and he would just be turned out in the pasture alone, Masters let the insurance go. The horse was healthy for three months. Upon return, he caught the horse and penned him since he would be turning new horses out. Trying to crawl out of the pen, the horse broke his leg.

"Luckily, the guy let me replace that horse with a $5,000 horse because he was a friend of the family," he said. "Still, it cost me $5,000 out of pocket where if I would have kept the insurance, it would have just cost me the premium and he'd have gotten $20,000 back. It was all my fault. I was just lucky he was so good about it and understood that kind of stuff. I don't want things happening like that any more so I make sure I stay on top of the insurance for myself."

Equine Mortality Insurance

 Equine mortality insurance is the most standard policy in the industry and the horse can be insured for up to 100 percent of its value. Typically, annual premiums for a rope horse fall between 3.2 and 3.8 percent of the animal's agreed-upon value. When determining value, the burden of proof falls on the owner, so always keep bills of sale, roping results and training invoices.

"Insurance in livestock is very similar to life insurance because it's mortality," said Lyndia Cotton, owner of LCI Livestock Insurance [4]. "The base policy is mortality. Whether it's due to accident, sickness, disease or even destruction due to inhumane suffering. It also includes theft. That's your standard across the board. Now there are other endorsements including colic surgery expense."

Most often set at $3,000, the colic surgery endorsement is becoming more and more standard on policies for the simple fact that horse insurance companies would rather have to pay around $3,000 for a colic surgery claim than a mortality claim.

For insurance purposes, the value of a horse is determined by its purchase price and its performance record. No pre-existing conditions are ever covered and it is a 12-month contract. It's renewable, but the horse has to be reevaluated. Of course, if you're in the market for equine insurance, look closely at exclusions: for example, what's stipulated if your horse requires humane destruction? Assume nothing when you purchase a policy, but do discuss all possibilities thoroughly with your agent.

"On a new purchase, the horse's purchase price is the maximum insurable value at that time. You are not to profit from an insurance policy," Cotton said. "They'll let you increase the value of an animal as long as you can substantiate it through performance records or training costs. With rope horses, we look and see what number roper is winning money on the horse and what roping number he is roping in. You have to look at consistency, that's a key issue."

Cotton, whose Stephenville, Texas, company specializes in the Western disciplines, particularly roping and barrel racing, works with many of the top 15-types in team roping, calf roping, steer roping and barrel racing. In fact, working the professionals gives her a great deal of comfort because the horses they ride are becoming more and more valuable all the time.

"Team roping horses that have been trained for the long haul are worth a lot of money," she said. "The good thing is, if a roper has a horse that really fits him, one that can get him to the top of his game, he's going to tend to take care of that horse because even if it's insured and something happens, he can't just take that money and truly replace that horse."

Contrast that with a race horse that has a different owner, trainer and rider and the insurance companies' willingness to insure rodeo horses does make sense.

While the professionals do tend to take good care of their horses, they are at a higher risk in some situations. For instance, the constant travel that rodeo horses are subject to just increases the chances of accidents. Every week horses are in a different stall. Plus, the sheer intensity of performing their duties can put them at risk for injury.

"For me, it seems like it's hard enough to find a horse I can win on," Masters said. "I raised the two I've got. If I'm winning a lot of money on them and without having a lot of cash around, if something happened to them, I don't know where I would start. Everybody that's got a good horse wants so much for them, so what would you do if you weren't insured? If something did happen to one, at least I would have $20,000 to $30,000 to try to replace them."

Major Medical Insurance

 To cover the kinds of accidents that can result in injury or illness but not death, insurance companies have developed policies.

"Most companies also offer an endorsement of major medical surgical coverage to help you pay vet bills due to accident, sickness, disease or surgery that occurs during the policy period," said Cotton. "There are other enhancements you can purchase as well."

 From Cotton's perspective, there are two types of clientele for whom she strongly recommends the major medical endorsement: people new to horse ownership and people who travel with their horses regularly.

"The less you know about horse care and the shorter amount of time you've been in the industry, the more I encourage major medical because you don't have the experience to do what the vet tells you on the phone," she said.

For traveling horsemen, the wear and tear on a horse can add up. Plus if there is a need for a vet while on the road, chances are the horse owner won't be acquainted with that vet. When a horse owner can present a policy covering the cost of treating an accident or sickness to a vet no time will be wasted getting the horse the attention it needs.

Plus, having this type of coverage could spare horse owners the decision of whether or not to undertake life-saving veterinary care. If you can't afford it, your horse won't receive it, and the emotional ramifications for you could be significant.

Major medical insurance covers diagnostic testing, surgery and post-operative care and medicines. However, it doesn't cover routine care and vaccinations, deworming, supplements, hock injections and the like. Most companies offer several plans between $5,000 and $10,000 total and there is a deductible per occurrence.

There are also endorsements to cover permanent disability due to injury or illness that prevents the horse from performing his normal event. It's not a common endorsement and is expensive.

Personal Horse Owner Liability

 The final piece of the insurance puzzle a horse owner ought to consider is personal horse owner liability coverage.

What happens when you're at a roping, in the parking lot and your horse kicks at a dog running behind it and dents somebody's truck? Worse yet, what if your horse kicks somebody causing damage?

"Personal horse owner liability coverage will protect you should your animal cause bodily injury or damage to someone else," Cotton said. "Such as kicking the mirror off the side of the truck in the parking lot or riding up to someone in the grand entry and your horse kicks and breaks their leg. If a little kid walks up and wants to pet your horse and in the process of you saying no, the horse bites him. You are liable in the United States for the behavior of your animal. If you lose control of your horse coming out of the parking lot or the alley and he runs over somebody, this insurance comes into play and protects you. If you are sued and found liable and responsible due to your negligence, it kicks in and will pay. We've become so much more of a litigious society in the last 10 years. If somebody gets hurt, somebody's to blame and they're going to come after who ever the horse belonged to."

Commercial Liability

 Roping producers and horse trainers are another group that is certainly at risk of lawsuit. For big time roping producers, they probably have to have an insurance policy in place to even rent a facility.

"The cost of a policy depends on the size of the arena, how much income is being produced and how many human lives are at exposure," Cotton explained. "Producers now know what they're doing and they have their own safeties. They don't want a claim."

On the other hand, if you rent your arena, or host small ropings or even organized practices at your own arena, a policy should be in place.

"If it's on your own property, if somebody rents it, you should carry a policy," Cotton said. "If somebody gets hurt, they're going to sue and they're going to sue the producer, the person that injured them and the property owner. They're going to name everybody in the lawsuit trying to find the deepest pockets."

I am totally going to this. Who's with me?

Tornado Benefit Trail Ride, Pell City, AL 5/28 & 29

CARLETON’S FARM

BENEFIT TRAIL RIDE

MAY 28 & 29, 2011

$10 per ride, additional donations welcome!

All donations go to our

EQUINE FRIENDS

OF

SHOAL CREEK VALLEY

&

5 W RANCH

In memory of our dear friend and fellow rider

RONNIE ISBELL

*WE ARE ALSO TAKING ADDITIONAL DONATIONS OF

CAT FOOD, DOG FOOD, HAY, FEED

AND ALL LARGE AND SMALL

ANIMAL SUPPLIES TO ASSIST

OUR FURRY FRIENDS IN NEED!!

MONETARY DONATIONS WELCOME!

4735 WOLF CREEK ROAD SOUTH

PELL CITY, AL

CALL GREG FOR INFORMATION 205-369-9653

BRING YOUR LUNCH, OR BURGERS AND HOT DOGS $3 EACH!

Fly sheets are going back on today...

So, over the weekend, we moved in six more horses and one foal of Amy's in at my pasture. I'm actually rather pleased about the addition, they're a lot of fun, but the additional horses does, of course, mean additional POO. Subsequently, the flies have increased around the barn. The fly sheets are going back on today, and I'm going to muck the entire darn barn yard. I think the next investment is going to be fly predators and apple cider vinegar.

Our Latest Arrival!

We welcome Ishara to our little herd :) Ishara was a neglect case and was recently rescued in Montgomery, AL. She's full Arabian and is about 7 years old, according to the vet.

Laziness

I REALLY need to go ride my ponies. I've been trying to give them time to settle in, but now my only excuse is laziness. It's so hard to get motivated to go do anything because of the flies and lack of company. I really need to go work at least Ivan even if it's only on the lunge line, but he's been such a damn stinker lately. Ah well, looks like my happy ass is going to the barn to work ponies today...

Gnat Killing

The gnats are horrendous out at the new barn. I've started looking up genocidal methods for the pesky buggers. Some of what I've read has been helpful and some of it has just been plain funny. I'm reposting some of what I've come across.

How to Kill Gnats - 13 Facts

by Jobacle.com

There's clearly a demand for eliminating these pesky buggers, especially at the office, so here are 13 things you need to know about gnats

1. Simple recipe. Mix vinegar and dish soap in a shallow bowl. They'll dive in - but not out.
2. Remove fruit and plants from "infected" vicinity
3. Most gnats live up to four months.
4. Pheromones are a non-toxic agent that lures gnats to their death. Normally used on thesticky sticks that can be hung. It works for months, is poison free, and sells for about a buck a stick. Females may lay up to 300 eggs
5. Gnats are attracted to light - so shut that desk lamp!
6. Spraying hair spray at them will freeze their wings and cause them to suffocate. Notvery kind, but neither is flying up your nose.
7. While many "filth" gnats do not bite, be sure to look for any excess itching or rednessor changes in your skin condition. Every one has a different take but some gnats do bite!
8. DEET sprays such as OFF! or Cutter will repel gnats. Poison-free alternatives such asAvon's Skin So Soft can be effective. Some folks disagree, but I've had luck with it.
9. And NO, I don't sell Avon on the side.
10. Some gnats fly around your head because they're attracted to carbon dioxide. Theyread the CO2 as a possible snack.
11. Like any gang, gnats swarm together and might be using your head as a landmark.Stand near the tallest person possible and you might be left alone.
12. Summer is the worst - gnats multiply by the thousands. Use those vacation days.
13. No, a sledgehammer won't kill them

Here are some of the suggested products courtesy of Google Ads: 

• Insect repellent sprays, such as Deet (Off), are excellent for driving gnats away. You may also try using Avon's Skin So Soft to repel gnats from your skin.
• Ortho® Bug-B-Gon MAX®Scotts.com/Ortho
  Kills Listed Lawn Invading Insects. Guaranteed Kill or Your Money Back!
• Terminix® Fly Controlwww.TerminixPestControlOffers.com
  $50 Off Terminix Fly Control. Call today! 877-221-0265
• Control Fungus Gnatswww.bioworksinc.com
  NemaShield - beneficial nematodes eliminate fungus gnat larvae.
• Want To Get Rid of Gnats?www.MosquitoBarrier.com/gnats
  You can rid your yard of gnats fast - with our all natural spray.

The Horse | Thoroughbred "Performance Genes" Further Examined in Study

Whoa, this is big news! Very interesting stuff, and likely to impact horse racing everywhere if it starts becoming implemented instead of just being a case study.

The Horse Thoroughbred "Performance Genes" Further Examined in Study

The genetics behind the athletic performance of Thoroughbred racehorses has been a popular area of research in the past few years. A large-scale study was carried out recently in Japan, the results of which corroborate those of previous studies: Identifying specific "performance genes" on equine chromosome 18 could identify the ideal distance for a Thoroughbred to race. Some industry veterinarians, however, suggest that this information should still be evaluated and used with caution.

Researchers on four separate studies have previously identified a region of DNA on chromosome 18 (which the researchers referred to as ECA18) that they believe could be associated with racing performance. One of the research teams found a specific mutation in the myostatin gene (MSTN) located on ECA18. Researchers also previously evaluated the myostatin mutation and determined that it contributes to muscle hypertrophy (enlargement) and might be useful in predicting whether a horse is better suited for short-, mid-, or long-distance races.

To further assess the ECA18 genes' influence on athletic performance, Teruaki Tozaki, PhD, from the Laboratory of Racing Chemistry's Department of Molecular Genetics in Tochigi, Japan, recently analyzed genetic material from blood samples collected from Thoroughbred racehorses registered with the Japan Racing Association and born between 1993 to 2000 in Japan.

Tozaki's team identified four specific genetic mutations (single variations in the DNA) called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on ECA18 within or near the MSTN gene using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genetic sequencing techniques. Then they compared genetic sequences of these SNPs in 1,710 horses with performance records including most successful race distance, win-race distance (i.e., the average distance of races won), performance rank, and lifetime earnings.

Tozaki noted, "SNPs on ECA18 in both male and female Thoroughbred racehorses were clearly associated with performance, most notably optimal race distance."

According to Tozaki, these results indicate that there is at least one gene or a combination of genes or SNPs in this region of ECA18 that likely influences a Thoroughbred's optimum race distance.

"Regulation of the MSTN gene appears to affect racing performance and ... these SNPs could be genetic diagnostic markers for racing performance indicators, as we previously suspected," Tozaki explained.

Presently, Tozaki's team is focusing on the physiologic characteristics of Thoroughbreds with the MSTN mutation and how they relate to racing performance. For example, they're looking at the differences in muscling among young horses not in training, those in training, and horses actively racing.

Although this study is included in a large group of related studies, a recently released statement from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) indicates that industry veterinarians are still interpreting the results with caution: "The interpretation of the tests results may not be simple, and the predictive value of the tests may not be high. The AAEP supports the use of evidence-based tests for medical and performance related genetics if the methodology and results have been published in peer-reviewed journals and withstood appropriate scientific scrutiny."

The study, "A cohort study of racing performance in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses using genome information on ECA18," is scheduled to be published in an upcoming edition of the journal Animal Genetics. The abstract is available online.

The Little Truck That Could (But Nearly Didn't)

It's official, we need a more powerful truck. Mark's vehicle CAN pull my trailer under load up and down hills, but it certainly doesn't do it well. We shoveled out 1 stall of crush from the old barn yesterday afternoon (THAT was a bitch and a half to accomplish), and Mark was kind enough to help dig out and load it on my trailer for me. My trailer is heavy in the first place, around 2500-3000 lbs, and we dug out about 4/5 of a stall that was holding about 5000 lbs! So on the low end, 2500+4000= approximately 6500-7000 lbs that poor little truck hauled yesterday. Given that in its heyday it was rated only to tow 8100 lbs ('94 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L 8 cylinder), that 6500-7000 lb tow yesterday really stretched its limits! Oh well, trailer and crush are now safely at the barn, and the truck is safely at home, no worse for the wear as far as we can tell.