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

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

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By: Lauren Rauchenberg

Bell Canyon Equestrian Center is spending time, energy, manpower and money to get the arena footing just right. Barn Manager Karen realizes the importance of proper footing for horses and is currently working to prevent some of the issues that often accompany poor footing in horse arenas. This is an interesting article by Jody Gilbert:

Give your horse consistency, cushioning, traction and support.

Poor arena footing can take the fun out of riding. Even worse, poor arena footing can create untold hardships for your horse, compromising performance, stealing confidence and putting him at risk for injury and degenerativeproblems such as osteoarthritis. Yet installing and maintaining safe, effective arena footing can be difficult,in part because of the many variables involved.

To help you sort out your arena footing options, we’re going to look at some factors to consider when deciding what type of arena footing makes sense for your situation. If you understand the benefits and limitations of different types of footings and how they’re likely to behave under particular conditions, you’ll be able to make smart,realistic choices and arrive at what works best for you.

How you use your arena will determine what kind of footing is best. Driving a cart requires a more compacted footing than a jumping arena because a shallower footing will help your horse pull the cart more efficiently.

For more information on sand, particle size, mineral composition and many other details, go to http://www.equisearch.com/farm_ranch/arenas/horse-arena-footing/

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

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Lauren Rauschenberg on "Luka"

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

Bell Canyon Equestrian Center is having a horse show on June 4th that will offer a wide range of classes for all disciplines. From hunters & jumpers to western and dressage, come by this event to get a wide range of fabulous classes.

Get the competitive edge and enter one of many events or come to watch and cheer on all of the horses and riders. The horse show is still scheduled despite the EHV-1 virus.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

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Courtesy of Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times

No horses in and out of Bell Canyon

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

Alright, it’s a little scary, but it’s important. Currently, the Bell Canyon equestrian center isn’t letting any horses in or out. All the horse shows and events have been cancelled due to the Equine Herpesvirus. Read all the symptoms below and make sure you keep your beloved horses healthy.

Definition
Equine herpesvirus is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide. The two most common strains are EHV-1, which causes abortion, respiratory disease and neurologic disease; and EHV-4, which usually causes respiratory disease only but can occasionally cause abortion.

Respiratory disease caused by EHV is most common in weaned foals and yearlings, often in autumn and winter. Older horses are more likely than younger ones to transmit the virus without showing signs of infection.

Although EHV-1 causes outbreaks of abortion, EHV-4 has only been associated with single occurrences and is not considered a risk for contagious abortions.
EHV-1 myeloencephalitis results from widespread vascular injury after damage to the vascular endothelium of the blood-brain barrier. Neurologic signs result from vasculitis, thrombosis, and necrosis of neurologic tissue. Herpesvirus myeloencephalitis cases occur singly or as outbreaks affecting 20-50% of the population. They may or may not be associated with a previous or ongoing EHV-1 respiratory disease outbreak.

Clinical Signs
Fever—commonly precedes other clinical signs, but may be the only clinical sign and goes undetected.
Respiratory disease

• Fever
• Coughing
• Nasal discharge
• Neonatal foals infected in utero are usually abnormal from birth:
• Weakness
• Jaundice
• Respiratory distress/stridor
• CNS signs (occasionally)
• Death commonly occurs within 3 days.
• Older foals: nasal discharge is most common sign of illness.

Abortion

• Usually no warning signs of impending abortion
• Typically occurs late pregnancy (8+ months); occasionally as early as 4 months.

Neurologic disease:

• Incoordination of the hind (and occasionally fore) limbs
• Urine retention/dribbling
• Bladder atony
• Recumbency
• Neurologic signs may be preceded by fever and respiratory signs.

Incubation
After infection by any route, incubation period may be as short as 24 hours, is typically 4-6 days, but can be
longer. EHV abortion can occur from two weeks to several months following infection with the virus.

Transmission
Aerosol transmission (most common route)

• Inhalation of droplets from coughing and snorting.
• Note: EHV is not as easily spread by this route as is Equine Influenza virus.
• Mares who have aborted, or whose foals have died, transmit infection via the respiratory route.
• Shedding by the respiratory route typically lasts for 7-10 days, but can persist much longer. Therefore a 28-day isolation period is recommended after diagnosis.
• Indirect transmission
• Virus can be viable for several weeks in the environment once it has been shed by the horse.
• Fomites are a significant factor in EHV contagion as compared to influenza virus.
• Aborted fetuses, fetal membranes and/or fluids are significant sources of infection.
• Infected foals are highly contagious and can transmit infection to other horses via the respiratory route and by shedding virus into the environment.

Diagnostic Testing

• Virus isolation
• PCR
• Serology
• Serological diagnosis using Viral Neutralization titers (synonym: Serum Neutralization titers) cannot distinguish between EHV-1 and EHV-4. Nevertheless, in combination with specific clinical signs, a four-fold rise in titer can assist in diagnosis. When a single virus neutralization titer is very high (typically 1:1024 to 1:2048 or greater) this is likely to be the result of recent infection rather than vaccination.
• Complement fixation titers have been reported to be useful in diagnosis of recent infection; however, commercial testing is currently unavailable in N. America.
• A commercial test kit, suitable for use in practice, is available for detection and differentiation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 specific antibodies directed against a viral glycoprotein called gG (Svanovir™: www.svanova.com).

Shedding Time of Organism Past Resolution of Clinical Signs
Likely for up to a week, possible for 21 days or more.
Recovered horses typically develop latent infections and are capable of shedding virus (with or without
clinical disease) particularly at times of stress for the remainder of their lives.

Environmental Persistence
Environmental transmission plays a minor role in the maintenance of virus in the horse population since environmental persistence of EHV-1 is short, estimated to be no more than 35 days under ideal conditions and probably less than 7 days in most practical field situations.

Specific Control Measures
Biosecurity Guidelines

Vaccination
Booster vaccination of healthy animals in primary and secondary contagion control perimeter may have some value, and is not known to lead to complications. If animals are unvaccinated prior to the outbreak there is unlikely to be time to administer an effective vaccination series during the risk period. Clinically normal horses housed within the primary perimeter may be permitted segregated exercise periods outside the perimeter. Precautions should be taken, and may include:

• Exercise scheduled after general population’s exercise period to avoid potential
• virus transfer to unaffected horses/barns by exercise riders
• Access to starting gate or similar equipment denied
• Restricted use of ponies/outriders’ horses—horses housed within the primary perimeter may only be escorted by horses housed within the same facility.
• Direct horse-to-horse contact is to be avoided.
• Prompt post-contact use of hand sanitizer by individuals having contact with horses during
• exercise
• Release of animals from isolation
• Maintain isolation procedures (primary perimeter) for 28 days after last suspected new infection. In the absence of clinical disease, the risk of exposure decreases with time.

Biosecurity Issues for Receiving Animals

• Horses having been housed within primary perimeter:
• Isolate from general population for 28 days
• Horses having been housed within secondary biosecurity perimeter:
• After having determined its level of risk-aversion, the recipient facility may consider the following:
• Vaccination requirements for entrance into facility
• Health certificate specifications
• Testing (negative PCR from nasal swab)
• Update vaccination for animals at recipient facility before arrival of potentiallyinfected/exposed animal.

Zoonotic Potential
None known.
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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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

In light of all that mothers do, I’ve resolved to revive a relic of sorts – an ad that the President of Pizitz Department stores created many years ago. The significance, you ask? The President of Pizitz happens to be my father. And those two lovely ladies in the photo? Well, my dear friends, that is my mother on the right, and yours truly on the left.

Although many years have passed, the message is just as powerful as it was in those days: Who Looks After Mom?

It is a question I’ve asked myself throughout the years. With Mom caring for the children, her man and her home, who cares for her? Where does Mom get the attention and love she deserves?

My point is, let’s celebrate our mothers this year. As one artist once said, ‘Just shower the people you love with love,
show them the way that you feel.’

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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts

GREEN Living with Lauren

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

One part of keeping yourself healthy is keeping our planet healthy.  Here are some tips to be more responsible:

1. Natural Beauty—Our skin absorbs everything that we put on it.  Try to avoid products containing hormone-altering parabens or toxic laureth sulfates.  Use organic and toxic-free products. www.cosmeticdatabase.com

2. Onions–  Support farms that converts onion waste into renewable energy and high-quality cattle feed, providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings in annual electricity costs.  www.gillsonions.com

3. Organic Foods—Eat organic foods.  Foods that are free of toxins, pesticides and chemicals nourish your body.  Eat only ocean friendly seafood.  Blue Ocean Institute has an Ocean Friendly Seafood guide application for your smartphone.  This app allows you to make the right choices about seafood and to be responsible.

4. Clean Vehicles—Drive a hybrid.  Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Honda, Lexus and Toyota are just a few of the manufacturers that offer hybrids.  www.hybridcars.com

5. Clean with Green—Use green products to clean instead of using products containing high toxicity levels that can be harmful to your health and the environment.  Use environmentally-friendly products.

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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts

My horse Constant and his father Contender

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

One my all time favorite horses is my Stallion’s father, Contender. Contender has a personality that captivates you immediately. It’s not because of his stature but because of his eye that maintains an unrivaled intensity. Contender is proving to be one of the most influential sons of Calypso II, who was an advanced level show jumper with Michael Ruping before retiring to stud where he sired a number of quality show jumping horses and top grade dressage competitors.

Bred by Niko Detlef , Westfehmarn, Contender is out of Gofine who’s grand sire was the late Ladykiller xx. Gofine produced several top show jumpers including the international performing horse Ulina. Like many other class stallions before him, Contender won the Adelheidsdorf Stallion Performance Test in 1987. He went on to become the 1 – b main premium vice – champion in Oldenburg on the basis of his first crop of foals, before moving to Holstein after 3 years. At this point his first foals were starting their International Careers.
Contender is the sire of over 40 approved stallions and equally 40 national premium mares. He has dominated German Breeding values for many years now and continues to produce exciting young stallions from which our own gelding Greenacres Captain Z is descended.

Contender’s influence spreads through Germany mainly through his two sons Cordobes I and II . They were acquired by the Westphalian stud at Warendorf. Cordobes I was the winner of his performance test in 1998. His jumping score of 142.29 nearly matched that of his famous sire Contender which stood at 146.62

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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

Derek Taylor, an English journalist, writer and publicist was assigned to review a band which was perceived by his editors as a no name, teen fad. After the show, however, Taylor felt quite differently about the band known as the Beatles. As they gained popularity, Taylor’s editors began a column dedicated to George Harrison which in effect was ghostwritten by Taylor. Harrison allegedly provided the short stories and Taylor supplied the finishing touches. In 1964, Beatles manager Brian Epstein hired Taylor as the Beatles full time publicist for the summer. After the tour, Taylor resigned and moved to California.

Due to the rich history of 20701 Dumont St., The Beatles & many celebrities frequented the house. Madelon Rowen, decorator to the stars, decorated the house with tile, stained & leaded glass. Memorabilia and artwork remain throughout. There there are even gold & platinum records for sale as well. This old home hosted numerous celebrity parties and performances, all set in the seclusion of this Woodland Hills gem.

Take a look at the video below for a closer look at 20701 Dumont St. in Woodland Hills.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGN90KZJmNc[/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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts

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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

Cavalia returns to L.A. A magical encounter between horse & human is a grand – scale spectacle created by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil. The production showcases new artists, new horses, & entirely new acts. A tribute to the bond between horse & human, the show is a unique combination of equestrian arts, multimedia, dramatic visual effects, live music, dance & acrobatics. It involves 49 magnificent horses from all over the world, and 37 performers, including riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers, musicians, and a vocalist. www.cavalia.net (there are also YouTube videos available on the website if needed.)

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.

Lauren Rauschenberg

Lauren Rauschenberg, Estate Broker at Ewing and Associates Sotheby's International Realty, is a practicing civil litigator and emerging Realtor. With nearly 10 years of experience in real estate law and as a title company manager, Lauren discovered a broader demand for her estate expertise.

Website - More Posts