Issue 12:  Serving the equine community through information and product offerings.

• Winter Checklist
• *A Closer Look* RoundPens-n-More.
• Current HorseSaddleShop.com specials
• Daily Equine forums full of friendly equine enthusiasts
• Sell All Things Equine Related - Free Classifieds!
• Save more with your next purchase from HorseSaddleShop.com

A Beginner’s Winterizing Check List for Cold Weather Climates

-What To Do Before the Snow Falls

by MaryKay Ruble

As the leaves change color, and a chill wind begins to blow, a few simple steps need to be taken before winter snows fall.  While this may not be a complete list, it is intended to be a starting point, and certainly, different areas with varying weather conditions will prepare in manners specific to impending conditions.

1)      Move all liquids, sprays and temperature-controlled items into the house, basement or heated lounge or tack room to prevent freezing and rupturing of containers. This will save time and money next spring between clean-up and replacements of bottles and sprayers that have frozen, split and then drained their contents in your barn or tack box.

2)      Do a maintenance check of all doors, sliding and hinged, latches, water heater, area heaters, feed storage containers, fence chargers, mechanical systems and fire extinguishers.  None of these items are fun to change out when the temperatures have dipped into the single digits and wind chill is measured in the negative.

3)      Put up, or line up a steady, reliable supply of good hay.  In cold weather, your horse will derive more body heat from hay than grain.  Supplying adequate amounts of hay during winter turn-out may keep horses from pawing through snow for forage.  In the early spring months, supplying hay during turn out may save your pastures from becoming mud bogs as the horses move around in search of grazing areas.  This movement during muddy conditions may bury or destroy any new grass growth.

4)      Check tack and blankets for any repairs or cleaning that may need to be done.  Repairs to leather may require that the item be shipped out to a professional.  Winter may be a time for you to do this; you may not be riding as often, or may be willing to ride bareback for the added warmth and can relinquish your saddle to the postman.  Blanket repairs will need to be done in advance of colder weather so that they are on-hand when needed.  Keep a roll of duct tape in the barn for quick repairs when you can’t send the blanket out for mending.

5)      Check with your vet to see what vaccinations are recommended for the fall or winter months.  This may also be the time for an equine dental check-up.  Keep up with your worming schedule, supplements and farrier visits.  Although hoof growth generally slows during cold weather, and while most shod horses are left barefoot for winter turn-out, regular trims are still ideal.

6)      The fall season is also a good time to check fence lines for maintenance, add strands to existing fence, or put up new fence.  The ground may be more workable at this time, and you won’t have bugs, heat or humidity to contend with during the hard work.

7)  If you own a trailer and tow vehicle, now is also a good time to do any scheduled or necessary maintenance on them.

Current Saddles on Clearance

Our saddle makers are always introducing new models and making changes to old models of saddles.  This causes us to have inventory problems which is a very good thing for our customers.  Here is our current list of NEW but old model saddles.  We've knocked the price as low as we could to make room for the newer models..  Act soon because these saddles have a limited availability.

  

15" Fabtron High Cantle Brass Saddle 7924 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $659.90 Our Low Price: $486.45 15" Cordura Barrel Saddle by Big Horn bh230 Suggested Price: $748.00 Our Low Price: $492.00 17" Big Horn Cordura Trail Saddle 176 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $738.00 Our Low Price: $499.00 15" Custom FQHB Barrel Saddle - Western dk325 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $820.00 Our Low Price: $525.00 15" 16" Trail Saddle - Custom Made dk202 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $850.00 Our Low Price: $550.00 14" 15" 16" Circle Y Barrel Racing Saddle 3649 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $1,338.00 Our Low Price: $749.99 16" Tex Tan Round Skirt Flex Pleasure 08-tf405 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $1,550.00 Our Low Price: $957.00 16" Tex Tan Bear Trap Flex Tree Saddle 08-tf4013P CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $1,700.00 Our Low Price: $999.95 16" Tex Tan Draft Horse Saddle 08-4021 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $1,700.00 Our Low Price: $999.95 16" Tex Tan Eliminator Reining Saddle 08-1288 Suggested Price: $1,790.00 Our Low Price: $1,090.00 16 1/2" Tucker High Plains Trail Saddle 260 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $1,850.00 Our Low Price: $1,199.00 16" Reinsman Working Cow Horse Saddle rs 4610 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $2,120.00 Our Low Price: $1,260.00 16" Grandeur Tex Tan Show Saddle 08-1585-12n6 CLEARANCE Suggested Price: $2,995.00 Our Low Price: $1,710.00

Have you visited our informational site DailyEquine.com?  We have a forum that is dedicated to spreading the knowledge of the equine enthusiasts.  We have a very knowledgeable group of Moderators and Members that provide help on many topics.  Visit them and see what it is all about.

Recent Topics (click to view the conversations):

Kestrel find 

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Equine Weekend 

Daily wormer 

Weather has changed my horse! 

Newbie and New Horse 

Leather experts- advice needed 

Center fire rigging 

We've added a feature to our DailyEquine.com website to help you sell your tack, saddles, trailers or horses.  This is a free service that allows you to reach thousands more people than you normally would.  Check out the new Classifieds at http://www.dailyequine.com/xcent/classifieds/default.asp

Looking for something to buy?  Look no further than our Classifieds section brought to you from DailyEquine.com

At HorseSaddleShop.com we strive to provide the best service, product and price.  We ship all saddles in the 48 Contiguous United States for free and offer an additional savings for every order.  Whether you are ordering on-line, over the phone or at our store you can use the coupon code ts2p for a checkout discount.  Happy shopping!

Please send your responses to specials@dailyequine.com. We look forward to hearing from you!