By: Lauren Rauschenberg

The hot weather is upon us and if you are a horse owner there are some things you should consider.

Nancy Prosser my horse trainer at WestView Farms recommends that “you not over exert your horse in the hot weather, give your horse lots of cool baths, shade and plenty of fresh water.” I learned a great tip from my trainer Nancy:  Since you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make them drink, try filling a large tub with water, carrots and electrolytes and watch what happens.

Here are a few tips to keep your horse cool in hot weather:

Shelter from the sun
Searing heat and sweltering humidity can be dangerous for horses. Every year, numerous cases of colic, dehydration, and respiratory distress are attributed to warmer summer weather. Worse, potentially fatal heatstroke or exhaustion causes a few deaths each summer. Thankfully, however, responsible horse care and vigilance when the temperatures rise is all most horses need to cruise through summer in comfort. To help your horse beat the heat, keep the following tips in mind:

Water – use a suitable water bucket to frequently offer fresh, cool, clean water. Average size work horses can consume over 25 gallons of water per day when the temperature is above 70°F. Also, keep water troughs and stock tanks clean and free from insects to promote consumption.

Shade – offer an escape from the sun while in the pasture with a run-in shed. In addition, turnout your horse as early as possible in the morning to help avoid the heat. To combat early morning mosquitoes and flies, use suitable repellents, fly masks, and sheets.

Electrolytes – replenish salt loss during excessive sweating with a suitable electrolyte supplement, especially with work horses or when the combined temperature and humidity exceeds 140°F. Serious electrolyte loss causes fatigue, muscle cramps, colic, and more.

Ventilation – cool your horse while he rests in the barn with appropriate stable fans. If possible, leave barn doors and windows open and install misting fans near each stall. Choose a run-in shed with an open-end design to promote airflow.

Baths – sponge cold water over your horse, especially down the large blood vessels under the belly and neck and inside the legs. In extreme heat, spray a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and cold water over his body to aid sweating.

Fodder – feed quality hay, especially as warm weather slows grass growth and pasture quality declines. Hay offers energy, which your horse needs to help regulate his body temperature and power his natural cooling processes.

Coat Care – clip your horse’s coat and keep his mane and tail trimmed. Apply a zinc oxide sunscreen to pink noses to help prevent sunburn. Use shampoos with added sunscreen to help protect against UV rays and sunburns.

Signs of heatstroke
A common misconception is that hot summer weather only affects work or show horses. This is untrue. While active horses are more susceptible to a rise in temperature, extreme heat can quickly take its toll on any horse. In fact, heatstroke can occur whether your horse is plowing a field, standing in a stuffy stall, or traveling in a trailer.

Heatstroke occurs when your horse is unable to rid his body of excess heat. Your horse’s body has a natural cooling process. However, extreme heat and humidity can overpower your horse’s ability to cool himself. To compensate, the body redistributes blood flow closer to the skin, which aids cooling. However, this mechanism causes internal organs and the brain to receive less oxygen. Add excessive sweating into the mix, which causes a loss of fluids and electrolytes, and the results can be disastrous. Signs of heatstroke – also known as heat stress or heat exhaustion – include:

Elevated Respiratory Rate – between 40 to 50 breaths per minute, shallow breathing, and breathing that remains elevated after two minutes of rest

Elevated Heart Rate – a pulse of more than 80 beats per minute that doesn’t slow down after two minutes of rest

Increased or Absence of Sweating – full-body sweating or, worse, if your horse stops sweating entirely

Elevated Temperature – a rectal temperature of 103°F or higher

Lethargy – signs of depression, disinterest in food, stumbling or collapsing
Heatstroke is a serious condition. Severe cases of heatstroke lead to collapse, seizures, or loss of your horse. If you suspect your horse is suffering from heatstroke, immediately take measures to help cool him. Contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist or his condition worsens. To help cool your horse:

Stop Activity – cease workouts, rides, or farm work immediately

Bathe Immediately – douse him with cold water or a water/alcohol mix

Offer Water – allow your horse to drink as much water as he desires

Find Shade – get your horse out of direct sunlight and into the shade

By: Irma Haldane

Every so often we get the treat of an old classic right here at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc4ktIFl7ww[/youtube]

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Hosted by the Olive Vineyard & Dos Gringos Food

By: Cindy Nexon

The Olive Vineyard in Agoura Hills has decided to host an hour and a half lesson on how to make and use fresh cheese. It’s a chance to support a local business that is always doing something interesting and creative. Drop by Friday, February 11th at 6:30 pm, to enjoy a tasting menu inspired by cheese. BBQ Pizza and seared Mozzarella with Olive Oil prepared by Dos Gringos Food using The Olive Vineyard’s Olive Oil.

Space is limited, so please call 818.292.8393 or email them by February 7th.

For the full brochure, click here to download.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

What up with the price hikes?

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

There are some recent changes to the Bell Canyon Barn. First off, Bell Canyon recently welcomed new barn Manager Karen Adam. Substantial facility changes have taken place due to Karen who has upgraded staffing and procedures. The upper arena was reconstructed and the daily maintenanace is enhanced with the new drag and water truck, (which significantly reduces dust). Stalls throughout have been leveled and DG has been added. The lighting has been upgraded throughout the facility.

But possibly the most formative of changes is the price hike. Bell Canyon Equestrian Center has not had a price increase in three years and due to increases in the cost of feed, bedding, labor, fuel, water, utilities and waste removal, they have reached the inescapable conclusion that board rates must be increased. Here’s what you can expect as for February 1, 2011.

Box Stalls:  Residents: $610 –  Non-Residents: $660
Pipe Stalls:  Residents: $530  — Non-Residents: $580
Pipe Corrals:  Residents: $450 — Non-Residents: $500

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Spotting the woman in lady face mountain

By: Cindy Nexon

I’ve lived here for 20 years and uncovering the “true” lady face mountain is difficult. I must say, never once have I truly seen it – at least not the way I imagined it to be. However, the Acorn recently ran an article on Ladyface Mountain in Agoura Hills that helps show the face of the mysterious mountain. Take a look at the photos below. They just may help you next time you are in the perfect spot to view Ladyface mountain.

Photos by Iris Smoot and Julien Belmond

Photos by Iris Smoot and Julien Belmond

Photos by Iris Smoot and Julien Belmond

Traffic Ticket Fines

By: Irma Haldane

This is a list of huge traffic ticket fines in California. These Traffic Tickets Fines  are Effective 01/06/2011

Please be extremely careful in your driving and car registration & insurance matters. Effective immediately, if you do not stop at the red light, be ready to pay $436 in fines or if you pass a school bus with flashing red signals, you will be charged $616.

The next time you park in the handicapped zone, even for a minute, you will be looking at almost $1,000 in parking tickets, so it’d better be worth it.

Traffic Ticket Fines (Effective 01/06/2011)

VC 12814.6    $214       Failure to obey license provisions.
VC 14600(A)   $214      Failure to notify DMV of address change within 10 days   Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 16028(A)   $796      Failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance) Note: This fine may be reduced with proof of insurance on or after the violation date.
VC 21453(A)   $436      Failure to stop at a red signal.
VC 22349        $214      Unsafe speed,  1 to 15 miles over the limit.
VC 22350        $328      Unsafe speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit.
VC 22450        $214      Failure to stop at a stop sign.
VC 22454(A)   $616      Passing a school bus with flashing red signals.
VC 23123(A)   $148      Driving while using a wireless phone not hands free, first offense .
VC 23123(B)   $256      Driving while using a wireless phone not hands free, each subsequent offense.
VC 23123.5     $148      Driving while using a wireless device to send, read or write text.
VC 23124        $148      Minor driving while using a wireless phone.
VC 22500        $976      Parking in a bus loading area.
VC 22507(A)   $976      Violation of disabled parking provisions, first offense.
VC 22507(B)   $1876    Violation of disabled parking provisions, second offense.
VC 26708        $178       Unlawful material on vehicle windows.
VC 27150        $178       Adequate muffler required.
VC 27315        $148       Mandatory use of seat belts.
VC 27360        $436       Mandatory use of passenger child restraints.     Note: This fine may be reduced by completing a court authorized child seat diversion program .
VC 27400        $178       Headsets or Earplugs covering both ears.
VC 27803        $178        Violation of motorcycle safety helmet requirements.
VC 34506        $616        Commercial Driver – Log book violation.
VC 4000          $256        No evidence of current registration. Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 4159          $178        Notify DMV of change of address within 10 days. Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 5200          $178         Proper display of license plates. Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.
VC 9400          $178         Commercial weight fees due.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Agoura Hills Tifa Chocolate hosting free coffee day

By: Irma Haldane

Agoura Hills is known for it’s quaint charm, rolling hills and lack of nightlife. Luckily, it has Tifa Chocolate & Gelato to pick up the slack. Saturday, December 11th from 10 am – 2 pm, Agoura Hills Patch is joining with Tifa to offer a free coffee day and $1 espresso and hot chocolate. Go over to Tifa on 5013 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills near the Lady Face Alehouse to get your free cup.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

The Fall play from the Theatre Arts Department

By: Cindy Nexon

The Agoura High School Theatre Arts Department is proud to present “You Can’t Take It With You” this December.

Starting on December 8th and ending on December 11th in the G Building at Agoura High, the Theatre Arts Department will perform the Kaufman and Hart three act play at 7 p.m. each night. There will be no matinee and tickets are $15 at the door, $10 for students with ASB.

“You Can’t Take It With You” relates the humorous encounter between a conservative family and the crazy household of Grandpa Martin Vanderhof. Grandpa’s family of idiosyncratic individuals amuse with their energetic physical antics and inspire with their wholehearted pursuit of happiness, Kaufman and Hart fill the stage with chaotic activity from beginning to end. Critics have admired the witty one-liners, the visual theatricalism, and the balanced construction of the play’s three acts.  Although “You Can’t Take It With You” is undeniably escapist theater which prompts immediate enjoyment rather than complex analysis, it has clearly influenced American comedy. The formula originated by Kaufman and Hart – a loveable family getting into scrapes and overcoming obstacles — has been adopted as a format by most of today’s television situation comedies.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

I rode Pia on the new footing in the main arena at Bell Canyon Equestrian Center and it was great. What an improvement! The baseboards along the bottom of the arena have been replaced and it looks much nicer, not to mention safer. My young Jumper Cambrio is doing good and feels healthy after his Chiropractic adjustment. Nancy is having fun riding my Stallion Constant. Amanda is riding my Jumper Luka while her horse is recovering.

I rode Pia in my new CWD saddle – it is so comfortable! My horse Willow was champion last weekend at a horse show on the East Coast in the Jumper division. Also, for Old Agoura news, I drove down Driver in Old Agoura and there was a lot of horse activity at the arena. It was so nice to see all the riders enjoying their horses.

Good Luck to all the competitors at the LAEC Horse Show this week!

I have a contact that is interested in selling their Mini-Horse business–includes 2 Miniature Horses, Carriages, equipment and etc. They cater to birthday parties, weddings etc. Email me if you’re interested.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

By: Roger Ewing

The Whizin’s Farmer’s Market is starting up December 7, 2010 at 3pm – 8 pm. Local farmers and artisans will congregate to offer the citizens of Agoura Hills the freshest products. This will likely be a hot spot for local chef’s from the nearby Blue Table and other surrounding restaurants. Every Tuesday this weekly farmers market will kick off at 3pm. The Whizin’s center welcomes you and says, “come on down to the farmer’s market & shake the hand that feeds you.”

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.