September 2020 Issue

Page 30 September 2020 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Print subscribers get FREE classifieds! FREE Print subscribers get FREE non-commercial classified ads! Just email your non-commercial (events, horses/trailers/tack for sale, boarding/lessons/training etc.) classified, 35 words or less to steph@eastcoaste- questrian.net . Be sure to include your name and mailing address as it appears on your subscription label. (Not a print subscriber? Sign up online at eastcoastequestrian.net .) Classifieds can run in more than one issue but must be resubmitted each month. Deadline is the 12th of the month before publication. FARMS HORSES MISC. By Malorie de la Mare Dear Mal… Someone asked me a question about my horse, and it really stumped me. She’s a dog lover, and she said it always makes her happy when her dog gets so excited to see her. She wondered if my horse (we’ve been together for 10+ years) looks forward to seeing me, and if he likes me. I kind of laughed and said something about how he likes the carrots I bring him, but it did get me thinking. Does he like me? If he does, how does he show me? To be honest, I don’t hold back when I’m with him. I kiss his neck, nuzzle his lips, scratch him behind his ears, etc. He seems relaxed. But still, I wonder. What do you think? These days when we’re all isolated from friends and our usual social lives, I’ve been feeling a little sad about things, and going to visit my horse us usually a great tonic. Is it as good for him, though? -Curious Dear Curious… Dogs are kind of famous for their theatrics, and they do make it pretty clear when they’re happy to see us. Horses, maybe not so much. Maybe…it’s true they don’t generally jump up and down and wave their tails when they see us, (and that’s a good thing, yes?) but they express their feelings in more subtle ways. Remember that body language is important to horses. It’s part of their survival strategy. They’re not merely observers of the body language of other creatures; they “speak” to us through their unique body language. Soft eyes. Relaxed lower lip. Head down and often turned toward you. Ears forward. All these indicate that your horse is not only happy to see you, but he’s enjoying your company and he feels safe with you. There are researchers who have determined that horses also recognize the moods of the people to whom they are closest. They know from your body language if you’re happy or sad. And the researchers also determined that horses have good memories, and they don’t forget people who have not been nice to them—even people who have not been around them in years! It’s easy to look at horses and think that they’re immersed in their own worlds of grazing, rolling in dirt and sniffing their buddies. But they do have deep emotional lives. When their pasture buddies die, they grieve. Part of the magic of horses is their aura of strength and calm, and their eyes, mysterious and deep. I think if you pay close Does My Horse Like Me? Go ahead... Ask da Mare Coming in the October issue! Advertising Deadline: Sept. 11 To advertise, call (717) 509-9800 www.eastcoastequestrian.net The news East Coast horse owners need to know BONUS DISTRIBUTION At all October Princeton Show Jumping events, Ridge at Riverview events & Swan Lake shows! Plus, two features! Real Estate Showcase and Equine Health Care, Nutrition andTherapy Related advertisers who buy a 1/4 page or larger ad receive a FREE article! Plus, social media support! attention to your horse—and if you really are present and focused when you’re with him—you’ll see clear evidence that, yes, horses do know and love their “parents.” And they are happy to see them— with or without carrots! Dear Mal… I drive by a really pretty horse farm every day, and the sight of the horses in the pasture always makes me happy. They look so peaceful and calm. I know almost nothing about hors- es, other than they’re such lovely animals. But I do worry about them. In our area, deer ticks seem to be everywhere, and horses look like such attractive targets for ticks. Do ticks feed on hors- es? Are horses susceptible to the diseases that dogs and humans get from ticks? Is there any kind of vaccine to protect them? -Worried Dear Worried… Watching horses just being horses in a pasture is a great way to spend time. Don’t let the tick thing ruin your fun, though. There’s enough sadness and trouble in the world, right? We don’t need to look for more stuff to crowd into our anxiety bubbles. Deep breath…Now that you’re feeling better, I need to give you the facts. Yes, just as we find ourselves attracted to horses, ticks do, too. And yes, they can transmit Lyme disease to horses. And horses can get very sick from Lyme disease—if it’s not treated, the disease can cause perma- nent damage. Sigh. There is no vaccine, but there are reliable and effective treatments. Attentive and careful horse owners watch their horses, look for signs of trouble and act promptly to intervene if their horses show symptoms. The range these ticks inhabit has been growing, as warmer winters fail to kill off the populations, and there are more places where ticks can survive as a result of the warm- ing climate. The ideal pasture has nice healthy grass and trees that provide shade in the warm months. Unhappily, those are the ideal conditions for ticks, as well. Horses that are infected with Lyme disease will show symptoms of lameness, often joint swelling, sore muscles and fever. The treat- ment for Lyme disease is usually antibiotics, and horses generally recover. But all of this depends on the horse owners’ vigilance. Now, don’t stop ogling those horses! Enjoy the view and think happy thoughts when you see them. Have a question for Mal? Email her at PAEquest@aol.com. Quiet, no stress 40-acre facility 10 min. to DE Memorial & Commodore Barry bridges, adjacent to 38 mi. of marked/ GPS trails. Lit round pen/arena, ¼ mi. track, wooded jump & competitive trail courses. $300 pasture/$500 stall board. 609-617-2118. Horse Lay Ups: 20 minute drive to New Bolton Center/ University Of Pennsylvania Vet School. (No self care available). Owner owned and run. Over 30 years experience. Two refer- ences requested. Rates upon request. 610-721-5902. Foaling Stalls: Limited space available for mares that want to foal in Pennsylvania. 20 minute drive to New Bolton Center/University Of Penn- sylvania Vet School. Over 30 years experience. Reasonable rates. 610-721-5902. TRAINING: Westfield Farm LLC, Tailored for horse and owner. ALL Breeds and disci- plines. We will make your trail horse safe or a winning show horse More info at Westfield- farmllc.com or CALL 717-432- 2828. Travel Possible. Great Care at Barn in Southern Chester County, PA. Indoor and Outdoor rings, round pen and trails. Stall board $450/month, Field $325. Vet references available, 20+ years experience, nice people. Judy 610-368-3822 4 Year Old TB Gelding: Very reasonably priced. 16 and 1 hands. Dark bay. Very quiet. Sound. Trail rides. Paper chase. Green in the ring. Lovely ground manners. Ships/clips. Good home only. 610-721-5902. Large Chestnut Colt: Full brother to Devon/Upperville Winner. Unregistered TB. PA Bred. Will win on the line. Very athletic. Good mover. 610-721-5902. Omega Horse Rescue located in Airville, PA has a variety of horses and ponies ready for their forever homes! Please visit our website to see pictures, videos and how you can help! www.omegahorserescue.com Better than right off the track! The PTHA's Turning for Home, Inc. always has OTTBs that are properly rehabbed, retrained and ready for their new careers. Find your next horse at www.turningforhome.org or call 215-808-7562. 8 yo gray TB mare (Fastness x Lotte de Bentwood by Just beforeMidnight). No training but friendly; raised on turnout. Could still race or be a hunter or dressage show horse. 215-536-5353 lv msg. Custom made Wenger Western saddle, 16” seat, like new con- dition. Text 610-914-5317 for pictures or call 610-384-5540. CATS: Barn homes in Bucks, Chester, and Montgomery Counties, PA. are needed to give rescued strays a chance at life. Cats are neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated; delivered and acclimated. Fill out an application to adopt at StrayCatBlues.org or call 215-631-1851 Exiss 6 Horse slant aluminum gooseneck 2001. Stainless nose. Lighted, carpeted dressing room. Extra rear compartment. Many saddle/ bridle racks. Everything removable to enlarge stalls or fit carts. 7'6"ht. Extremely nice condition. $17,800. OBO 717-432-2828 Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! The news East Coast horse owners need to know