Their annual convention in the West! The last time was in 1997 in Salt Lake City.
If you would like to attend the convention or the Rockin’ the Rockies reception please go to www.msea-usea.org or to www.usea.org !
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Buena Vista woke up to find the first snow of the year blanketing the ground! It was a very beautiful and welcome sight for most of the valley residents.
With about 1-2 inches of dry snow, it did make for slick road conditions which resulted in one minor auto accident in the early morning hours. Please remember that even though you may not see any ice on the road, doesn't mean it's not there. And if you have 4 wheel drive, you aren't able to drive on the slick roads at faster or even, sometimes, normal speeds. Please be courteous and safe, slow down & drive cautiously.
Even with the ground conditions in desperate need of the moister, there are mixed emotions from the community. Skiers are excited to see the snow fall & anticipating the opening of Monarch and Ski Cooper, while some contractors wish it could stay away a bit longer to finish current projects before the big storms come.
Go take time to go have fun this year!
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Winter living at 7,954 high in the Rocky Mountains can be daunting, especially for the horse owner. Proper care and nutrition during the winter months is vital to keeping your horse in good flesh and healthy. You must make sure to have open access to a shelter, and plenty of good food and warm drinking water.
Making sure that your horse is fed properly is very important. Most people increase their horse’s intake of grain during the winter months, but you should actually increase his roughage, this should be grass hay or soaked beet pulp added to the grain to obtain calories from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Adding beet pulp also helps to slow down the eating time.
Your horse should have plenty of water at all times. Horses increase their intake of water during the winter months. Providing lukewarm water (35 to 45° F) is another good way to increase water consumption and help prevent impaction colic. A good way to heat your horse’s water is to insert a tank heater or use a heated water bucket. This also insures that no ice forms and the water is available at all times. These can be purchased at your local feed or farm store. Adding electrolytes can be an extra added benefit.
Blanketing has always been one of the first things that most horsemen think of for helping to winterize horses. Unfortunately, it may actually be hindering your horse from staying warm. Most veterinarians are actually advising against blankets since horses grow their own blankets natrually in the winter to help them retain heat. Avoid blankets if at all possible. If your horse is clipped then use a good turnout blanket and remember to unblanket when the temperatures get to warm.
Keep up with your horse’s health program, even in the winter. Make sure that you worm every 60 days, and vaccinations should be given as well before the cold, wet weather of the fall and repeated every 90 days for horses constantly exposed to situations associated with respiratory infections.
Winter-specific stresses include cold, wet, wind, lack of exercise, and owner disinterest. Make sure that you keep not only yourself active, but your horse as well; their mental health requires it just as your does, too. Riding in the winter can be difficult. If you can’t get out riding, find something to do at the barn. Grooming can be very beneficial, as can various training games. Remember, when you work with your horse, that you don’t over do it. A long haired horse sweats faster than a summer coated one, and a sweaty horse in the winter chill can spell disaster if not taken care of properly. Make sure that you cool out your horse properly if you have given them an extreme winter workout.
Have a great and healthy winter!
(Note: All information was researched and compiled by Sheila Johnson, and is not endorsed by any licensed veterinarian. You should always talk to your animal’s veterinarian about how to properly care for your individual horse or horses.)
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