Fall 2008 has arrived here in the U.S., and what part of the country you live in will determine some of the specific issues you and your horse will deal with over the next few weeks. However, there are some general issues that are common across the country:

• Worming and Vaccinations

• Shoes

• Tack and gear

• Turnout Blankets

WORMING AND VACCINATIONS

The first thing to address in the fall is worming and vaccinations. Do some research and talk to local experts about how best to manage parasites and disease in your horse’s neck of the woods. 

Before you use wormers, you may want to have a fecal analysis done on your horse to determine what parasites, if any, your horse has. If you don’t know what parasites your horse might be carrying, how do you know what kind of wormer will be best suited to helping him? 

Does your horse need the West Nile vaccine? Do you know what the risk of West Nile is in your area? Do you need to vaccinate against it? Or can you work to control the risks in your horse’s environment or work to improve your horse’s immune system so that he can handle it himself? Some insurance companies are requiring that horse owners vaccinate for West Nile if they want the insurance to continue. 

SHOEING

What about shoeing?  Shoeing includes putting shoes on a barefoot or young horse and/or taking them off for a period of time. What activities are planned for your horse? Southerners may want to make sure that your horse is shod for the increased riding that you might be doing now that the heat of summer has faded into autumn. Northerners may need to look at putting “studs” and snow pads on their horses. Shoeing often depends on our individual plans. 

There is one thing that all of us should remember: if you’re not going to use your horse very much, get those shoes off and let your horse go barefoot! Your horse’s feet could use the break in the shoeing cycle to let the hoof wall grow out and get rid of the nail holes. 

Giving your horse a chance to go without shoes can only help him in the long run. Some of you will say that your horse has to have shoes or he is lame, and of course the minute you take the shoes off of your horse, he limps around proving your theory correct. 95% of these horses prove sound with one trimming cycle. They can then grow out great hooves, and in almost every case they end up with a better foot. Take those shoes off if you can and let those feet rest.

HORSE TACK

Tack and your gear. Regardless of where you live, now is a great time to inspect and work on your tack. If you’re about to increase your riding, then you should be taking a good hard look to make sure that those items that were wearing out at the end of last season are repaired or replaced. Give your tack a good cleaning and oiling now so that you don’t have to worry about it later. 

If you’re about to reduce your riding, then it’s time to clean your tack and oil it from the wear that it received during the riding season. Either way, inspect and clean your tack now. Don’t forget to get your blankets repaired and cleaned in preparation for winter if you live in that climate. Don’t wait until the last minute. Check out: Saddlers Blanket Wash

Christmas list....of course I wouldn’t forget this...now is the time to make that list of all the horse gear you want for Christmas. Make it a long one and give your friends and family plenty of choices.  Don't forget to include a few Breyer Horses on that list!

Lexol pH Leather Conditioner Quick Wipes (25 wipes) Lexol protects old and new leather from cracking, and premature aging. It is made with the finest tanning oils which bond to the leather fibers, nourishing the leatherand leaving no greasy residue. Use regularly. 25 wipes Saddle Soap Plus Bar The Saddle Soap Plus Bar by Bickmore is great for cleaning all types of finished leather. Contains lanolin to make the leather more supple. Recommended to be uses with Bickmore Bick 4 leather conditioner after cleaning with soap to keep your leather looki Bickmore Saddle Soap Plus Tin Bickmore's Saddle Soap Plus Tin works hard to clean all types of finished leather. Comes in a convenient 6.5 oz tin that is easy to take with you when traveling. Use prior to applying the Bick 4 leather conditioner and your leather will look great! Contai Lexol Leather Conditioner Lexol protects old and new leather from cracking, and premature aging. It is made with the finest tanning oils which bond to the leather fibers, nourishing the leatherand leaving no greasy residue. Use regularly.

Arctic Blast 18 in. Steel Shovel The Arctic Blast 18 in. Steel Shovel is a high quality snow shovel that is has a durable steel blade, lightweight wood shaft with a D grip handle. The steel blade is 14 1/2 x 18 inches and the overall length is 49 1/2 inches. Shovel does not have a wear Arctic Blast 24 in. Aluminum Pusher with Wear Strip The Arctic Blast 24 in. Aluminum Pusher has a wear strip for long lasting wear and a high quality ash wood shaft with a D shaped handle made of steel with poly grip. Ideal for moving snow off of walkways or driveway and easier to use than a shovel. Maxigrid Snow Fence High visibility plastic snow fence. Reusable, rolls or folds for storage. Easy Gardener is a leader in snow fencing. 4 feet in height and a length of 50 feet. 18 in. Poly Snow Shovel Poly blade measures 13" x 18". Steel handle with D grip. Overall length 50".