Spotlight on GIFTS!

The Gift of Light: The Trail of Painted Ponies Announces Handcrafted Candles

The Trail of Painted Ponies is one of the premier fine art and collectibles companies in the world. The Trail of Painted Ponies candles are alluring! Eight custom-blended scents reflect the spirit of eight of the most popular Painted Ponies. These highly fragranced soy candles are hand-crafted with care, using the finest ingredients and eco-friendly soy blend waxes that make them lovely and long-burning. Light a candle and let your imagination run wild as you ride The Trail of Painted Ponies by candlelight.

“We are dedicated to beauty and artistry, and it is natural that we would create attractive accessories and home décor accents that allow you to surround yourself with the beauty of The Trail of Painted Ponies. Relax and enjoy each and every day with these inspiring handcrafted candles,” says The Trail of Painted Ponies President, Karlynn Keyes.

Find out more at www.TrailofPaintedPonies.com.

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The Gift of Health: Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Donates EquiRab(TM) to UHVRC

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health donated 7,250 doses of EquiRab rabies vaccine to the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC) in honor of World Rabies Day. The donated vaccines were sent to 150 UHVRC equine rescue and retirement facilities across the country, helping to protect the thousands of horses in their care from contracting the fatal disease.

World Rabies Day, held annually Sept. 28, was created to increase awareness of rabies and encourage animal vaccination in order to prevent human rabies cases worldwide. Since 2003, Intervet/Schering-Plough has donated more than 900,000 doses of canine rabies vaccines to vaccinate dogs in Tanzania. The company increased its support for the 2009 World Rabies Day by helping unwanted horses as well. With the donation of EquiRab to UHVRC, more than 7,000 unwanted horses received protection against the untreatable disease.

For more information visit www.equirab.com or www.intervetusa.com.

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The Gift of Warmth: Cashel Presents the KixnBux Raincoat
This rider-designed, polyurethane-coated waterproof raincoat is perfect for work or play. The coat has a number of special features that help protect you from the elements, yet give enough flexibility, durability and convenience to be your all-in-one choice when riding in inclement weather.

Makes a great gift for Dad this holiday season! Visit www.cashelcompany.com to learn more about the KixnBux Raincoat or ask your local Cashel Company dealer.
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The Gift of Knowledge: Fix it up for the Horse DVD by Pat Hooks
Review by Karen Pickering

Pat Hooks' set of three DVDs, “Fix it up for the Horse,” is a perfect tool to learn the bare basics of horsemanship as well as review some essential tools for improving your horsemanship skills. Pat takes you from understanding footfall to knowing where your horse’s feet are in all his gaits to the basic tools used in working with your horse both on the ground and in the saddle. The DVD set also includes some simple steps to breaking your colt and a discussion on working with mustangs.

Pat's easy-to-understand techniques break down the most difficult maneuvers. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced horseman, his perspective is gentle and effective. I’ve seen him work with problem horses and problem people (namely me), and he always brings a thorough understanding of the human-horse relationship.

I recommend this DVD as an essential in every horse person’s library. For more information contact Hooks Ranch at (580) 423-7482 or www.hookshorseranch.com.

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The Gift of Renewal: Nikwax Leather Cleaner
Product Review by NWHS Staff

Nikwax Leather Cleaner is a spray-on cleaner that works great on saddles, jackets, and any of your smooth leather goods (the company offers other products for use on nubuck and suede). I used it on an old pair of boots, and I'm fairly certain that if it could have repaired the scuffs as well, they would have passed for new after the cleaning. The one drawback is that I found the smell unpleasantly overpowering while working with the product. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully and have plenty of air circulation while spraying; the scent fades as it dries, so it is not a long-term problem. The best thing about this product for users in the Pacific Northwest is that it works on mold, so if you have items that have been out a little too long in the damp, Nikwax Leather Cleaner will help.

More information is available at www.nikwax.com.

October Spotlight on the News

Two Products from Farrier’s Formula® for Healthier Horses
Farrier's Formula Double Strength for Healthy HoovesThe nutrients in Farrier’s Formula Double Strength important for healthy hooves are provided at twice the concentration compared to the original Farrier’s Formula. The Farrier’s Formula Double Strength 11 pound nitrogen flushed bucket or vacuum bag delivers twice the number of daily doses compared to original Farrier’s Formula. This equates to a 60 day supply for a 1000 pound horse at the adult replenishment feeding level, or 120 days when feeding at the adult maintenance level--with the added benefit of being more economical to feed.
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Review of Farrier's Formula Barn Bag Supplement
by Karen Pickering

I recently tested the Barn Bag supplement by Farrier's Formula on my older mare, Dawn. My biggest challenge with her is getting her to eat anything other than her regular grain. When feeding any type of supplement, she immediately knows I've added something different and will eat around it, leaving most of the supplement behind. With the Farrier's Formula product she readily ate the supplement without any fuss--she would even eat it out of my hand. As far as noticeable difference in skin and coat, I don't see much change. She was in good condition prior to using the product, so the key thing for me was that I know she's getting all the nutrients she needs because she will actually eat it.

For additional information visit www.lifedatalabs.com.
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Dry Stall for Healthy Barns
Product review by Raye Lochert

I first used Dry Stall in 2003, and now I could not live without it. I had six inches of mud in the stall runs and my horses were miserable, suffering from thrush and scratches. Then I laid down the Dry Stall. It kept raining that year and I did not have a mud issue at all. The following year, I put down the Dry Stall before the rain. I used a lot less and never even saw mud where I used the product.

Dry Stall has eliminated scratches here at our barn, and thrush is almost nonexistent. Cleaning the stalls is much easier with Dry Stall in the outdoor portions. It lasts longer than most people would think, and it works into our compost program very well, improving the aeration of our compost in a big way.

Dry Stall is a product worth trying if you have mud issues, for the sake of your horse’s health and your peace of mind.

Learn more at www.drystall.com.

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Safe-Guard® Equi-bits®, Naturally
Eating alfalfa based pellets comes naturally to horses and with Equi-bits, one dose deworming comes naturally to their owners.

Equi-bits pellets are a top dress form that allows easy, effective deworming without handling your horse. In one treatment, Equi-bits help control large strongyles, small strongyles, pinworms and ascarids and are safe even for foals and pregnant mares. One pouch treats a 1,250 lb. horse. Equi-bits are apple flavored and have an overwhelming horse acceptance – a great choice for any rotational deworming plan, especially for those hard to catch or hard to worm horses.

Fenbendazole, the active ingredient in all Safe-Guard products, is safe for foals and pregnant mares and can help manage resistance when used in an annual rotational deworming program. For more information on Safe-Guard and rotational deworming, visit www.getrotationright.com.

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A Completely Different Way to Deal with Inflammation!

Elara Nutriceuticals Inc. has stayed true to its direction of merging nature and technology with the creation of Växamine EQ™, the world’s first and only all natural, botanical equine COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitor. Växamine EQ is a safe, highly potent natural alternative to prescription strength anti-inflammatory pain relievers. In the treatment of pain and inflammation, Växamine EQ sets itself apart in several ways when measuring up to other anti-inflammatories. However, Växamine EQ’s most impressive attribute is that it out performs other so-called natural anti-inflammatories, yet doesn’t produce the harmful side effects associated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, Vioxx®, ibuprofen and other drugs such as bute, Banamine (flunixin meglumine), and dexamethasone.

Learn more about Växamine EQ at www.vaxamineeq.com.

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Bob Avila Straight Roller Bit/AVB-105
Product review by Karen Pickering

I began using this bit last fall with my mare. I’d been riding in a snaffle and it was clearly time I move into leverage bit. The Bob Avila Straight Roller is a great all-around bit, and my mare easily accepted the change from her customary snaffle. The mouthpiece has a mild curve with cheek pieces that swivel on the ends of the mouthpiece. The very ornate cheek pieces make a nice bit for the show pen at a very affordable price. The mild mouthpiece and short shank make this a very gentle bit, and the sweet iron mouthpiece with copper roller is curved just slightly to offer tongue relief.

For more information visit www.profchoice.com.

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Disclaimer: Reviewers received free samples of the products they reviewed; all other information excerpted from press releases from the respective products' companies.

August Spotlight On the News

Let The Games, Good Times And Family Fun Begin at the 29th Annual Mule Days!

Hells Canyon Mule Days will be celebrating mules and mule skinners on the weekend after Labor Day, September 11th, 12th, 13th. From its humble beginnings in 1981 it has progressed steadily and is the fastest growing mule show in the Northwest. This annual event draws mule and donkey owners, and spectators intrigued by the long-eared equine, from all over the West. Hells Canyon Mule Days has been selected, for the fourth consecutive year, by American Cowboy Magazine as one of the 101 Great Western Events.

This year’s show will be three full days of events with classes for every age group and skill level. Highlights include the Classic Jump Off Challenge, which is always a crowd pleaser, and fast action events include pole bending, barrel racing, mule and donkey races, wild cow milking and the Fast Ass Express. During the Saturday afternoon show there will also be a contest for the oldest spectator and the spectator who has traveled the most miles to attend the show.

Be sure to make HCMD part of your summer plans and come celebrate with us a Wallowa County tradition of mules and mule skinners. For more information visit www.hellscanyonmuledays.com.

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Bob Avila Spur Collection – AVSO-200

Product review by Karen Pickering

The spur model I tested was the AVSP-200. Specifications: 1" band, 2" shank, 10 point rowel. The spurs come in antique brown with engraved silver.

A versatile spur for any western discipline, this is a very pretty spur with a nice floral design on the outer portion. The medium shank worked well for me with my short legs. It was easy to roll the spur up the side of the horse, offsetting my tendency to gouge instead of rolling the spur properly against her sides. I’m sure my mare appreciated it! I would recommend this spur to anyone. It is affordable, very functional, and nicely designed. For more information, see www.profchoice.com.

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VisionWorks Wireless Camera from Smucker

Smucker Manufacturing is pleased to release new digital wireless technology to the Ag industry. The VisionWorks Wireless system retails for just $299. This product allows farmers and ranchers to monitor livestock, fuel tanks, equipment sheds, front entry gates, and other farm buildings wirelessly.

Unlike analog, this digital wireless technology has no interference with Wifi, microwave, or cordless telephones. The need to protect your investments on the farm is on the rise, and this affordable system offers the latest features and benefits, such as:

* Interference-Free, Secure Wireless

* Monitor via the Internet

* Monitor on your TV or Computer

* Battery or 110v Operated

* Audio Microphone Built into Camera

* Digital Pan/Tilt/Zoom

* Infrared Night Vision

* Very easy to install

Learn more at www.smucker.net.

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Two Top Announcers to Work the Ellensburg Rodeo this Summer

Father- and Son-in-Law Excited to Work Together in Ellensburg

Randy Corley and Hadley Barrett are scheduled to work the Ellensburg Rodeo this summer — a first for the father- and son-in-law. Corley and Barrett have announced together at other rodeos, but never in Ellensburg. The two are known for their skill at understanding and entertaining a crowd.

Barrett has been an announcer for more than 40 years, working rodeos throughout the west. Corley, a Silverdale, WA. resident, has been awarded the PRCA's Announcer of the Year 11 times, the most in professional rodeo history. Both have been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

The Ellensburg Rodeo was founded in 1923. Held every Labor Day weekend, it is one of the top 20 professional rodeos worldwide. It features more than 500 competitors and a purse of over $250,000. Learn more at www.ellensburgrodeo.com.

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Founder of the American Riding Instructors Association Receives Eighth Annual Equine Industry Vision Award

Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications (AHP) presented Charlotte Brailey Kneeland with the eighth annual Equine Industry Vision Award at a ceremonial breakfast held during the AHP 2009 Free Rein in the Big Easy seminar in New Orleans, LA. Established in 2002, the Equine Industry Vision Award was the first of its kind to showcase innovation and recognize ingenuity and service across the entire equine market.

Charlotte earned this honor for her vision to promote and certify riding instructors across the United States. Best known as the founder and director of the American Riding Instructors Association, Charlotte is a true leader who has set an exemplary standard in safety, good teaching practices and professionalism across the horse industry.

Read more about Charlotte and the award at http://nwhsnews.blogspot.com/2009/06/founder-of-american-riding-instructors.html.