Hayride at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

A Thanksgiving Hayride at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

My family has been going to the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch for years. We have been to the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in the past for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Easter.  Each occasion was special.  Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch feels rustic and welcoming. The setting of the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, just at the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon …

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Westernaires Grand Entry Team makes an exit.

Can You Ride A Horse Standing On Its Back At A Gallop? At my age I don’t think I’d want to try riding a horse at gallop while standing on its back.  To be honest, I have those days that I’m just happy to be on the correct lead. Over the years I have seen …

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The Westernaires Horsecapades Show in Denver

Two Hundred Fifty Eight Horses and Riders in the Arena at One Time

Westernaires Horsecapades, what a great time! Went to the Westernaires Horsecapades show in Denver this last Saturday with some friends that were alumni of Westernaires . After the Star-Spangled Banner, Westernaires teams and alumni rode into the arena single file performing a cantering serpentine with all 258 horses and riders filling the arena.  You look …

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Go Army

Retired Army Vet to Ride Horse 300 Miles for the Wounded Warrior Project

Someone had sent me this article about a retired Army Vet Jim Thomas to ride 300 miles for the Wounded Warrior Project.  If you’ve been following Cloud’s Horse Tack blog for very long, you know I’m a big fan of the Wounded Warrior Project and the Wounded Warrior Equestrian Program.  Please show your support and send …

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War Horse Audio Book from Audible

“War Horse”, One of My Favorite Movies and Audio Books

For me, the book is always better than the movie, but, it’s difficult for me to make time to sit and read for my own pleasure.  For years now I’ve been listening to audio books in my car and on my iPod.  I’m able to listen to books while getting other things done. I can …

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dewormer

Proper Deworming Helps Prevent Colic

Regular deworming is important in the prevention of colic. It’s important to use the correct wormer at the right time of year.  With today’s advertising it’s easy to get confused with what paste goes to what group and when to use the dewormer. Disclosure: I am not a veterinarian and deworming your horse is a …

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Stock Tank Heaters

Stock Tank Heaters for Your Horse’s Water

Well, it’s that time of year and if you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter, you need to think about installing your stock tank heaters.  Personally, I like the stock tank heaters that go through the drain plug.  I’m able to keep the stock tank up against the fence and my …

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Horse Water – Repairs For The Galvanized Stock Tank

Horse Water – Repairs For The Galvanized Stock Tank

I like galvanized stock tanks for the most part, they’re fairly easy to keep clean.  If you have lots of minerals in your water you probably get algae in your stock tank easily.  The alga cleans up easily on a galvanized stock tank with just a brush. Unfortunately, your galvanized stock tank will eventually leak. …

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Our Regretted Rattlesnake

Our Regretted Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes Horses and Humans Do Not Mix Well   My wife went out to the hay barn at 10:30 at night, wondering why the cat would not come down from the haystack to come in for the night.  She found this rattlesnake in front of the hay barn.  It’s not a real good picture but …

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Horse Saddle

The No Cinch Horse Saddle

This picture was e-mailed to me by a friend. I like it; you don’t even need a cinch. Looks to be nicely made, comfortable and it is functional. “Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have … The course of history shows that as a government grows, …

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A Thanksgiving Hayride at Sylvan Dale Guest RanchWesternaires Grand Entry Team makes an exit.Two Hundred Fifty Eight Horses and Riders in the Arena at One TimeRetired Army Vet to Ride Horse 300 Miles for the Wounded Warrior Project“War Horse”, One of My Favorite Movies and Audio BooksProper Deworming Helps Prevent ColicStock Tank Heaters for Your Horse’s WaterHorse Water – Repairs For The Galvanized Stock TankOur Regretted RattlesnakeThe No Cinch Horse Saddle

Dec 07

A Thanksgiving Hayride at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

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Hayride

December 7, 2012

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My family has been going to the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch for years.

Hayride at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Hayride at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

We have been to the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch in the past for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Easter.  Each occasion was special.

 Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch feels rustic and welcoming.

The setting of the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, just at the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon with the river running through the property, is in an atmosphere not found in many places in nature.  To me the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch feels rustic and welcoming.  The staff are happy, friendly and accommodating and all of the animals are well cared for.

The food is fantastic,

I have never had a meal I did not enjoy at the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch.  Not only do you not have to cook, there is no dishwashing required either.  The only thing you have to do is enjoy your family, friends and the ambience. The staff at Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch takes care of everything else.

A visit to the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is not complete without a hayride.  I’m not sure why I like the hayride so much, maybe it’s the scenery and the setting of the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, or a chance to visit with other patrons of the ranch or the romance of being on a horse drawn wagon and holding my wife’s hand.  I find it relaxing.

Happy Trails,

Orville

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Nov 21

Westernaires Grand Entry Team makes an exit.

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Westernaires

November 21, 2012

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Can You Ride A Horse Standing On Its Back At A Gallop?

At my age I don’t think I’d want to try riding a horse at gallop while standing on its back.  To be honest, I have those days that I’m just happy to be on the correct lead.

Over the years I have seen the Westernaires Grand Entry Team post the American colors at rodeos.  The part I like best is after the Star-Spangled Banner is sung and the Westernaires Grand Entry Team makes an exit.  This is when the last Westernaire leaves the arena at a gallop while standing atop of their horse with one hand held overhead holding the American flag.  This is horsemanship at its finest with a fitting salute to our country.

Happy Trails,

Orville

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Oct 28

Two Hundred Fifty Eight Horses and Riders in the Arena at One Time

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Horse Safety, Rider safety

October 28, 2012

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Westernaires Horsecapades, what a great time!

The Westernaires Horsecapades Show in Denver

The Westernaires Horsecapades Show in Denver

Went to the Westernaires Horsecapades show in Denver this last Saturday with some friends that were alumni of Westernaires .

After the Star-Spangled Banner, Westernaires teams and alumni rode into the arena single file performing a cantering serpentine with all 258 horses and riders filling the arena.  You look at the photo and it looks like chaos, the photo doesn’t do it justice.  To see that many horses in the arena, all moving at once was quite a sight.  Best of all, everyone came out safe and sound.

I Miss The Westernaires  Alumni Horse Trailer Races!

My wife and her friend, who is also a Westernaires alumnus, were talking about how they used to participate in the trailer races.  The trailer races are where 2-4 teams of alumni would bring in a truck, horse trailer with a horse and then race each other on which team of two could run to the horse trailer, unload the horse, saddle the horse, one team member hop on the horse, run it around a barrel at the other end on the arena, run back to the trailer, untack the horse, reload the horse and both team members be the first team to hop back into the truck, close the doors and honk their horn.

Does anyone else have any fond memories of the alumni trailer races they would like to share?  Anybody know why they don’t have the trailer races anymore or when they stopped?

Happy Trails

Orville

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Oct 16

Retired Army Vet to Ride Horse 300 Miles for the Wounded Warrior Project

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wounded warriors equestrian program

October 16, 2012

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Go Army

Go Army

Someone had sent me this article about a retired Army Vet Jim Thomas to ride 300 miles for the Wounded Warrior Project.  If you’ve been following Cloud’s Horse Tack blog for very long, you know I’m a big fan of the Wounded Warrior Project and the Wounded Warrior Equestrian Program. 

Please show your support and send words of encouragement via Facebook at Bar T Horsemanship.  You can also go to their website at http://barthorsemanship.com/ and click on Mustangs for the Warrior, to make a financial contribution.

God bless Jim Thomas, retired Army veteran.

Happy Trails,

Orville

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Oct 12

“War Horse”, One of My Favorite Movies and Audio Books

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audio books, War Horse

October 12, 2012

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War Horse Audio Book from Audible

For me, the book is always better than the movie, but, it’s difficult for me to make time to sit and read for my own pleasure.  For years now I’ve been listening to audio books in my car and on my iPod.  I’m able to listen to books while getting other things done. I can easily listen to one to three audio books a month.

War Horse is a great story to me because it makes me realize that for countries, horses were nothing more than an expendable instrument of war.  For the boy and the horse, they were friends and members of the same family and why the plot centered on why they wanted to be together forever.   There are lots of other interesting characters to keep things exciting with lots of action and drama.

I like the voice of John Keating, he does a fantastic job of bringing the characters and action to life.

Thanks to our friends at Audible, you can purchase the audio book “War Horse” for $ 7.49 or you can get it free with a 30 day free trial

.

Happy Trails,

Orville

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Oct 09

Proper Deworming Helps Prevent Colic

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colic prevention, worming rotation schedule

October 9, 2012

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Dewormer

Regular deworming is important in the prevention of colic. It’s important to use the correct wormer at the right time of year.  With today’s advertising it’s easy to get confused with what paste goes to what group and when to use the dewormer.

Disclosure: I am not a veterinarian and deworming your horse is a serious matter and should be discussed with your veterinarian. This information is not intended to replace that discussion with your veterinarian.

There are three basic chemical groups of dewormers that I know of and they are Ivermectin, Benzimidazole and Pyrantel.  For the most effective results they should be rotated.  I’ve made a chart to show what group the most popular wormers belong to:

 

          Group Brand Name Wormer  Products
Pyrantel Durvet Pyantel
Strongid Past
Exodus Past
Primex
Benzimidazole Panacur Past
Safe Guard Past
Safe Guard Equi bits
Anthelcide EQ
Ivermectin Equimax Past – with Praziquatal
Zimecterin Past
Zimecterin  Gold -  with  Praziquatal
Quest Equine Gel – with Moxidectin
Quest Plus Gel – with Moxidectin and Praziquatal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have some pretty cold winters here in Colorado and this is the rotation schedule I use.

If you live in a warmer part of the country or in a place where the humidity is higher, this may not be the best rotation schedule for your horse.

Some parasites thrive under warmer moister conditions; you should discuss this with your veterinarian to make sure your worming rotation is the best for your horse.

 

Rotation

Time of Year

Group

1

January

Pyrantel

2

March

Benzimidazole

3

May

Ivermectin

4

July

Pyrantel

5

September

Benzimidazole

6

November

Ivermectin

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have tips or hints on deworming your horse, please share and leave a comment.

Happy trails,

Orville

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Sep 30

Stock Tank Heaters for Your Horse’s Water

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Horse Safety

September 30, 2012

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Stock Tank Heaters

Stock Tank Heaters

Well, it’s that time of year and if you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter, you need to think about installing your stock tank heaters.  Personally, I like the stock tank heaters that go through the drain plug.  I’m able to keep the stock tank up against the fence and my horses are unable to get access to the electrical cord or the heater.

If you’ve been following this blog for very long, you know my two black horses have more in common with a black lab than with other equines when it comes to water and the stock tank.  Any type of heater that has a cord coming out of the top of the tank or a heater that is mounted to the side with the top exposed is subsequently and quickly destroyed; it’s just a horse toy to them.

A GFCI Could Save Your Horses Live.

Having horses like my two black geldings and I know there are more out there like mine, I can’t stress the importance of having a GFCI “ground fault circuit interrupter” plug.  This plug is like the receptacles you have in your bathroom and around your kitchen sink, anywhere where water and electricity is used.  When using there are two little buttons on the receptacle, one to test the GFCI and the other to reset it.  They make GFCI circuit breakers that’ll replace your normal circuit breaker in your electrical circuit box. This will cover everything on that circuit, not only the outlets, but also the lights and switches.

Please do yourself and your horses a favor, learn and use GFCI’s.  For more information on GFCI’s, please check out the YouTube video that I found on the internet.

Happy and safe trails,

Orville

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Sep 22

Horse Water – Repairs For The Galvanized Stock Tank

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Horse Safety

September 22, 2012

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Horse Water – Repairs For The Galvanized Stock Tank

Horse Water – Repairs For The Galvanized Stock Tank

I like galvanized stock tanks for the most part, they’re fairly easy to keep clean.  If you have lots of minerals in your water you probably get algae in your stock tank easily.  The alga cleans up easily on a galvanized stock tank with just a brush.

Unfortunately, your galvanized stock tank will eventually leak.

 

Almost all of the galvanized stock tanks we’ve had would leak at the seam were the side met the bottom of the tank after a few years of service.  These are the following fixes I have tried over the years and they’re all temporary in nature, they only last six months to a year.  The key to getting any of these to work is to thoroughly clean and completely dry the area to be repaired.

 

  • Bolt for small holes – I drill them out using a drill bit just a little bigger than the leak.  I then use a bolt the size of the hole drilled with a flat washer on each side of the tank to seal it.  This works great but leaves the sharp edge of the bolt end exposed for potential injury to your horse.
  • JB Weld – I’ve had the best luck with this product.  Read the label regarding chemical leaks into the water.
  • Silicone – I have found no matter how clean and dry the repair area is, silicon works for a short time.     It sticks great to glass and wood but not so great for galvanized stock tanks.
  • Metal Roof Sealant – this is one I have not tried and do not recommend.  I do not know what chemicals leach into the water from the roof sealant.

My final fix to a leaking galvanized stock tank was to purchase a Rubbermaid tank but, in the past or depending on which size of tank you need, this solution is/was not always available.

Please leave a comment and share any ideas you have used to repair your galvanized stock tank for your horse water.

Happy Trails,

Orville

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Sep 08

Our Regretted Rattlesnake

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Rattlesnake, Rider safety

September 8, 2012

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Rattlesnakes Horses and Humans Do Not Mix Well

Our Regretted Rattlesnake

Our Regretted Rattlesnake

 

My wife went out to the hay barn at 10:30 at night, wondering why the cat would not come down from the haystack to come in for the night.  She found this rattlesnake in front of the hay barn.  It’s not a real good picture but as you can see he was over 3½ feet in length.

We had two other rattlesnakes in the past, each one was about 1½ feet in length.  With these 2, in the day light, I was able to use a shovel, to relocate them a half mile down the road, to a steep rocky area away from any other houses.

Because of the previous two experiences with rattlesnakes,

I have an idea on how fast they can move, I was not fond of trying to move this big guy in the dark.  I also know how bad I would feel if I tried to move him and he got away and at a later date, one of my horses, cat, wife or even worse, myself :) somehow got bitten by this rattlesnake.

As you can see from the photograph, this rattlesnake was not being aggressive; he was just living out his rattlesnake life doing what rattlesnakes do.  It was hard, but, I decided for the safety of my loved ones and myself, I would kill the rattlesnake.

Because he wasn’t aggressive, I still feel bad taking the life of this rattlesnake.

After I removed the snake, my wife’s bad cat came down from the top of the haystack, like always on her own, to come in for the night.

Leave a comment and let me know what you would do if you were faced with the same situation.

Orville

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Sep 01

The No Cinch Horse Saddle

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Horse Saddles

September 1, 2012

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Horse Saddle

Horse Saddle

This picture was e-mailed to me by a friend. I like it; you don’t even need a cinch. Looks to be nicely made, comfortable and it is functional.

“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have … The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. Commonly quoted on many websites, this quotation is actually from Gerald Ford’s August 12th, 1974 address to Congress.”

Source:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson

“Blaming guns for murder is like blaming forks for obesity”  Rush Limbaugh

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