Tag Archives: KAM animal services

HELPFUL tidbits delivered weekly: Kam Tip of the Week!


Monday, December 12th, 2011 | Filed under Handy Tips




Several months ago, I signed up to receive Kam Tips of the Week (no affiliation).

I did this because I love to find out new information and also because these tips often spur ideas for blog posts…  Today,  they inspired me to tell youall about these Tips of the Week.  

Kam Animal Services

KAM ANIMAL SERVICES TIP OF THE WEEK

What I like about these Tips is that they don’t fill up my mailbox – they don’t sell your email address – and the snippets are short and to the point.  So, if I want to research more, I can go on the web or listen to their webinar about the subject.  I like that.  Easy.

I LEARN SOMETHING

Often, I learn something that I didn’t know – or I get a different viewpoint of what I thought I did know.

For example, This Tip came in the form of an email to me.  “How to Use a Diaper to Pack a Hoof”.

Hmmmmm.  OK, hit me.

Here is what it said:

Click to enlarge

 

Now, I probably knew the general packing information part of that tip, but truly, I just learned about using diapers last year.  And, it was around the same time that I learned about the abscess drawing agent pad “The Animalintex”.  Love those!  (I used those for Norma when she had her abscess last December.  They were cheap, easy to apply and awesome!)

Not only that, this packing tip gives step by step on duct tape wraps as well as what to look for to make sure all is OK – both good things.  I mean, how often has someone said to just ‘duct tape bootie it’.  Yeah, easy for you to say.  But making a duct tape bootie is another story…

The tips tell you just enough to gain some knowledge and to pursue it if you'd like.

 

ASSORTMENT OF TOPICS WRITTEN BY SPECIALISTS

Here are a few more recent topics from the Kam website:

click to enlarge

 

TOPICS

I have a two Kam Tips emails pulled out here on my desktop.  The topics are THE KINDEST CUT OF ALL! and A JOINTED MOUTHPIECE IS NOT ALWAYS A SNAFFLE.  I’ll cut and paste one here:

‘A Jointed Mouthpiece is not always a Snaffle’

The distinction between a snaffle and curb bit is really quite simple: a snaffle bit works on direct pressure while a curb bit works on indirect pressure. Unfortunately this distinction is commonly misunderstood among even some experienced horse owners and trainers. And note that a broken mouthpiece does not a snaffle make.
Snaffle: A snaffle bit applies direct pressure from the rider’s hands through the reins to the horse’s mouth, tongue, and bars. A snaffle bit consists of two rings, on either end, joined by a mouthpiece which can be either straight or jointed. The mouthpiece can be made of several materials but is most commonly available in stainless steel, copper, and rubber. Common styles of snaffle bits include mullen, jointed, rubber, and twisted. The bit rings can be round, D shaped, egg shaped, have extensions called “cheeks,” and come in a variety of styles.
Snaffle bits are usually both mild and simple to use and are often the bit of choice for green or inexperienced horses and beginning riders. Remember however, rough hands significantly increase the severity of any bit.
In general, the circumference of the mouthpiece determines the relative severity of the snaffle bit: the thicker the mouthpiece, the milder the bit. Twisted and wire snaffle bits can be severe and should only be used by experienced riders.
Curb: Curb bits have shanks attached to the mouthpiece which cause an increase in leverage, multiplying the pressure the rider applies to the reins. These bits act not only on the mouth, tongue, and bars, but also exert pressure on the horse’s poll and chin groove. In general, the longer the shank, the more severe the effect of the bit.
Curb bits can be more severe and should only be used on horses that are accustomed to them and by experience riders with sensitive hands.
Curb bits should be used with a curb strap or chain which attaches to both sides of the bit and rests in the horse’s chin groove. The curb strap squeezes the horse’s chin when the rider uses the reins.
Curb bits may have a port (or bump) in the center of the mouthpiece which can be low, medium, or high. A very high port with spoon shaped molding is called a spade and can be very severe. Spade bits should only be used by experts. Curb bits are also available with a broken or jointed mouthpiece.
English riders often use an English curb bit in combination with a snaffle bit (in a full bridle) for upper level dressage or saddle seat. The Pelham is an English style bit which combines both the curb and snaffle actions in one bit with a snaffle ring for direct pressure and a rein ring (at the bottom of the shank) for indirect pressure. The Kimberwicke also combines both actions in one English bit.
Bit Selection
Deciding which type of bit to use and purchase for your horse can be a challenging and confusing task. It is best to work with a professional to determine the best bit for both your horse’s training and performance level along with your experience, riding style, and discipline. It’s important to note, as with all other tack, some bits are considered appropriate for certain disciplines while the use of others may not be allowed in certain competitions.
When choosing a bit for your horse, take into consideration the equipment that has been used on him or her in the past and how he or she worked using that equipment. A common mistake is to try to compensate for lack of training or ability of either the rider or the horse by using a more severe bit than the horse should require.
In a joint effort to help educate the horse world, this tip is brought to you by the Kentucky Horse Council (www.kentuckyhorse.org)  and KAM Animal Services, home of KAM’s “Equine Learning Circle” FREE monthly webinars and weekly tips. The Kentucky Horse Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. Go to www.kamanimalservices.com  to register for the next webinar or sign-up to be notified when a new tip comes out.

I also found a website that has some of the Kam Tips listed.  The site is called Advanced Biological Concepts Holistic Nutrition.

They feature the topics:  “TRAILER SMART”, “COLIC OR DIARRHEA” and “HOW TO MAKE A HORSE SWEAT” to name a few.  You can go there to check them out.

 

IN CONCLUSION

I am not affiliated with Kam Animal Services other than I really appreciate these tips and I do subscribe to their webinars when I want to attend on a particular subject.

I just like these little weekly dittys in my mailbox.  And, I thought you might as well…

A few more of the many topics...

 

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Click to read about our Bucket Fund! Gift donor certs available!

 

 

 

Copyright

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.




HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!



Tips on a day with crappy Internet… Kam Webinar and Human Grade, totally edible Skode’s treats!


Monday, February 21st, 2011 | Filed under Handy Tips




OK, well, Hubby took me away for this holiday weekend. Usually, I am able to write all of my blogs ahead of time and just schedule them to post while I am gone. But, this mini-vacation, I ran out of time and knew that I would need to write this blog for you to read on Monday.

Well, that sounds pretty easy, right?  Wrong.  I mean, normally it would be fun and easy to write the blog… but not today.

I had planned on writing about carousel horses.  I have a massive files of photos and a bunch of information all ready to go.  But, sadly, the internet service in this hotel is not too pleased with the size of my files or basically, just having to provide me any internet service at all.  I’m not sure if it is the photos that the internet service feels is objectionable or if it the service is just too tired to put the effort into uploading.

Dunno.

All I do know is that the hotel, which will remain nameless, in San Luis Obispo sure lacks in QUALITY INNternet.

I’m just sayin’… So, this morning, after pulling out all of my hairs, I’ve decided to switch gears and write about something less photo demanding…  The carousel horses will come later this week for sure.

FREE WEBINAR – TONIGHT!

I love these free webinars from Kam Animal Services (equine nutritionists/vets).  I have attended all three so far and will attend this one tonight.  FREE. All you have to do is sign up here.

Click to go to Kam Animal Services

The topic for tonight’s webinar is:

Oh, those sweet calories…….Understanding EMS/IR

Here is the description:

Many horses have problems in the way they metabolize carbohydrates and sugars. When these horses exhibit clinical signs, they may be diagnosed as Insulin Resistant (IR) or having Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). It is important to know that the various sources of energy from feeds are digested and metabolized differently. The three main sources of energy for horses are carbohydrates (starch), fats, and proteins. There are many commercially prepared high fat, low starch diets now available for these horses. Managing pasture turn out and grazing is also of vital importance. Grazing muzzles can save these horses lives! ??A way to identify horses with possible metabolic problems is to evaluate their overall appearance. Most of these horses will have abnormal fatty deposits along their neck (cresty) and at the base of the tail. Many geldings will also have increased fat deposits around their sheath. A long hair coat, low energy levels, recurring muscle, tendon, and/or ligament injuries, abscesses and laminitis are other good indicators of metabolic disorders. Blood tests are indicated to determine which disorder(s) is present. Research indicates that an overweight horse is more likely to become insulin resistant. ??Implementing a weight loss program through calorie and carbohydrate restriction, controlled exercise, and appropriate nutritional supplements may be all that is necessary to get insulin/glucose levels under control. Horses suffering from Insulin Resistance or Equine Metabolic Syndrome can greatly benefit from a nutrient specific supplemental program. ??Title: Oh, those sweet calories…….Understanding EMS/IR ??Date: Monday, February 21, 2011 ??Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM CST

So, I suggest you sign up and go as I’ve loved every webinar so far.  Here is the sign up link, click here.

SPEAKING OF THE HEALTHY KIND OF EQUINE TREATS…

Last week I ordered the Skode’s Sale Cookies which are advertised on the right side of the website (www.horseandman.com).  If you get this via email, you don’t see the ad so I will tell you that you get 66 – 70, home-made, certified low sugar/starch Carrot Snip cookies from Skode’s for a really great price!  Here is the link.

I’m telling you this not only because the Kam webinar is about exactly this topic – the right kind of sugar and carb for your horse – but because my package arrived and I wanted you to see what I got!

I ordered the Sale Skode's cookies and they arrived with a bonus!

First, the package from Skode’s arrived very quickly which I love!  Nothing like fresh cookies!  However, I know my horses will eat stale cookies so it doesn’t really matter to them.  But, I LIKE fresh cookies!

These are the carrot cookies! They feel and look great!

I ripped open the package and lo and behold, there was a surprise inside!  Yup, I got a bonus packet of equine brownies!  I was thrilled!  I love grab bags and surprises!   Also, I’ve gotta say, it is a great marketing decision to send a sample of something other than what your customer ordered.  That gets me every time…

Ingredients

Alright so now it is time to taste test with my wet (It has been really raining hard here the last few days…) and a bit cranky fuzzies.  I thought a nice treat would really help the mood out there.

The brownies smelled GREAT! I wanted to eat them and almost would have if Nomar hadn't beat me to it...

First, as I was heading to the barn, Gwen stopped me and did her, “WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HAND THAT I CAN SEE AND I WANT THAT NOW!” stance.

Of course, I gave in and went straight to her with the opened bag of brownies.  I gave her one and her eyes popped out of her little Morgan head.  “MORE!!!!!”.  You know that look…  So, I gave her another.

Gwen's chewy face! MMMMM brownies!

Then, I went into the barn and met with Norma who is still residing there because worried mother (me) cannot face putting her back outside even though she is basically fine after her bout of laminitis.  The AntiFlam is working wonders.  (linked here, no affiliation.)

So, since these cookies are the right kind of low sugar and starch, I knew I could give one to Norma.  Norma is very polite and doesn’t really ‘ask’ except to wave her huge ears around and gently inquire as to what I might have under my arm and could she potentially taste test that for me.

Norma's polite cookie sniff before inhaling.

I agreed.  I gave a brownie to Norma and turned to go into the feed room.  Well, to my surprise, sweet Norma followed me in there!  “Ummm, excuse me, could I have another one of those tender morsels?”  Of course!

At that point, I switched to the bag of cookies and distributed them around the farm with glee!  Everyone had smiles on their faces and the whole place was skipping and frolicking.  Even Nomar, my mastiff, was curling his lips in delight – he eats the cookies, too!

Even Untouchable Wildmare Sam was willing to forego her fear for a Carrot Cookie!

ADVISE FOR TODAY

I highly recommend that you attend the webinar tonight and check out the future topics.  I think you will be very happy that you listened.  (You can re-listen if you miss the date but go to the website to find out how…).

And, buy some fabulous ‘good for your horse’ SALE cookies!  Click on the photo on the website or click here.

But whatever you do, don’t come to San Luis Obispo and think you can write your blog and put in high res photos without checking out the QUALITY of the INNternet…   (Wishing there was a Starbucks nearby…).    ;)


HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

Click to help LEROY the Wonderpony!




HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!