Another snow! It is beautiful! And Peaceful! Hope you had the best snowman in your neck of the woods.
'Drought' should not be a word we hear soon. All this moisture will make for lush, green pastures. Remember, at Balsam Quarter, we will have a good supply of grazing muzzles.
The local hay crop will be a blessing. Hopefully, those pesky insects will have a hard time enduring the bitter cold that's been hanging around. And, it is nice to see the water ways full. We are blessed to live here in the beautiful mountains of WNC offering inviting peaceful trails, camp grounds, picnic areas, watering holes. . . . . . We do have a lot to be thankful for! Enjoy what's in your own backyard! Spring is coming!
Even though it is challenging to find a window of time to ride, winter riding is great! Be sure to watch your footing, pay attention to your horse, and dress warmly. Layers , as always, seem to work well. Riding in the winter helps you and your horse shape up quicker in the spring time.
Reading is always a favorite thing to do in the winter. Reading about horses makes it even better. Come browse our selection and add to your equestrian library. Instructional and fun titles! Be sure that you encourage the young people to read. We have great books for beginners and young readers-all about horses.
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COOKBOOK
Recipes from the area's horse community are still being collected at Balsam Quarter. This is the first cookbook from the equestrian community of WNC. The recipes do no have to be original~they can be favorites, recipes handed down, ones that you've tweaked, ones you've created. . . Of course, there is no charge for having your recipes listed. Wouldn't it be fun to prepare a meal from a reciped of a fellow horse lover! The cookbook 9retailing under $30) would be a great gift and a treasure for years to come. This cookbook offers lising of all the normal categories for preparing meals for your family and friends. If we haven't received your recipes, please send them to us ~ we would love to have yours included! You can also promote your farm or stable name or breed by listing it on the bi-line under your name. For more information call 828-684-8445.
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WNC EQUINE EVENTS CALENDAR
The WNC Equine Events Calendar wil be ready soon! It is a useful tool in planning your spring and summer schedule. Come by for your copy and start making plans.
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WNC EQUINE SERVICES BROCHURE
The WNC Equine Services Brochure is a service we offer. It provides information on riding lessons, training, boarding barns, etc. We hand out a lot of these brochures. Balsam Quarter offers our customers free listings. If you have an equestrian related business and would like to be listed, contact us at 828-684-8445.
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As we start a new year~2010~we are very thankful here at Balsam Quarter for our involvement with this great family of horse lovers. We have seen riders work hard and become very successfull in their riding skills achieving their own personal goals. We've seen young riders grow up, have families of their own, and come back to us to start the tradition all over again. It's great! We appreciate the opportunity to be included and to be a service.
Thanks for the opportunity of
Celebrating 40 Years
1970~2010!
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Life is a journey,
enjoy the ride!
Wanda
Sheila
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NickerDoodles
Horse Treats
Hand Made Here in the Carolinas!
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Just Received!
Kerrit's
Spring Collection
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Safety Gear for Riding
Safety Helmets
Look for the ASTM/SEI label in the helmet. Proper fit is important. Be sure to ask for assistance. The closed-cell foam layer inside the helmet's shell is tested for certification. Discard helmets older than 4 years old. The cells of the foam can break down due to the environmnet. The helmet must be replaced after a fall even if the damage is not seen. Never store your helmet in a car or near a heat source. Helmets start at $29.99
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Body Protectors
Event riders, due to the nature of their sport, have worn protective vests for some time. Body vests can reduce the risk of injury in a fall. Foam within a body protector cushions impact against ground, trees, fences, horse's hooves and body. Built-in shoulder pads are available in some models. $139.99 up
Safety Irons
Several styles of stirrups are designed to free the foot in the event of a fall. The most popular and economical is the Peacock safety iron. The Peacock has elastic bands with leather tabs, which are designed to release from pressure in a fall. Another style is the breakaway stirrups which are hinged to release the foot under pressure. The "S" iron is flared for easier foot release. Be sure to wear proper boots that have no large ridges or cleat-like bottoms.
Proper stirrup size is important - allow about 1" clearance.
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Electrolytes
Horses depend on certain electrically charged minerals to maintain the balance and flow of vital body fluids, the transmission of nerve impulses, and the healthy function of muscles and circulatory system.
These minerals are called electrolytes.
With an adequate, balanced and appropriate diet the only additional electrolyte needed is free choice salt. Idle horses fall into this description. When your horse sweats, electrolytes are lost and it is important for them to be replaced. More sweat, more supplementation!
Electrolytes should be given before, during, and after competition. Given before (24 hours), corrects any deficiencies - given during, replenishes - given afterward, speeds correction of any deficits.
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Ride and Tie
A competition in which teams composed of two humans and one horse cover a distance of between twenty-five and forty miles. One person rides the horse as far as he or she thinks the other person can run, then dismounts and ties the horse to a tree or another object and continues along the course on foot. The second person reaches the horse and rides past the first person. This leapfrog continues until the team all cross the finish line. The team that completes the course in the fastest time is the winner.
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Cleaning Closets?
Make
a few extra bucks by selling those riding
clothes you no longer need. We are now accepting
good, clean, riding attire (no helmets,
please) for our resale section. For more
info call Balsam Quarter (828)684-8445 or
email balsamquarter@aol.com!
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Saddles and tack are a major investment.
With proper care and treatment,
they can last a lifetime.
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Taking care of your tack is a satisfying way to spend a long winter night. We all know that after every use, saddles and tack should be wiped down. With time at a premium, Leather New Glycerine Saddle Soap, makes this task quick and easy. It cleans and moisturizes which provides a light conditioner between periodic deep conditioning treatments. The handy trigger spray allows for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies to be treated without drips and runs.
All leather tack should be deep-conditioned not only at the beginning and end of the season, but several times throughout the year. Normal cleaning and light conditioning only treat the outer layer of the leather. Deep-conditioning penetrates and re-moisturizes the deep-down fibers to maintain suppleness and strength. Using quality leather care products, found at Balsam Quarter, will help extend the life of your tack. Your tack is an investment and will benefit you and your horse to take care of it.
While you are cleaning, check for wear, cracks, weak places, any unsafe equipment. Make a note to repair or replace ASAP.
Take measurements or better yet, bring in the old piece.
A clean, dry, climate-controlled area is the best place to store your tack. Avoid direct sun and direct heat sources. Leather needs to "breathe" - avoid plastic bags and coverings. Place saddles on saddle racks or on forms that approximate the shape of a horse.
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Do
you like to know what's happening in the WNC horse
world?
Do you like trivia about horses?
Do you like new book updates?
Do you like finding treasures?
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Sign
Up for Our "Treasure of the Day" Emails!
It's EZ! . . .?
.
Just
send us an email requesting to be added to the Treasure
of the Day! They are sent twice a week. You can
cancel anytime. (We don't share our addresses!)
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Do
You Have a Birthday?
Want to Save $10.00?
Join our Birthday Club!
.
Just
send us your Name, Address and email address.
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Blue Ridge Cowboy Church
Every
Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
WNC Ag Center Sales Arena
Come as you are!
If you like the cowboy cluture you will love the Cowboy
Church!
You don't have to be a cowboy to attend.
Pator Louis Gibson 828-273-9635
lgibson@brcowboy.org
www.cowboycn.org
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Be Prepared!
Don't wait until your next equine emergency to find out that your first aid kit doesn't cut it.
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A WELL STOCKED BARN FIRST AID KIT:
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thermometer
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selection of bandages, polos, and vetrap
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sheet cottons, cotton balls, cotton rolls
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gauze pads, sponges
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sanitary napkins/diapers (for heavy bleeding)
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antiseptic (betadine, iodine, rubbing alcohol)
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antibiotic wound dressing
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liniments/sprays/powders/ointments/balms
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surgical tape/Elastikon
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small bucket
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blunt-tipped scissors
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eye drops
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saline solution
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surgical gloves, barn gloves
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syringes (for vaccinations and flushing out wounds)
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height/weight tape
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hot/cold packs
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bute/vet meds
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poultice boot
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stethoscope
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coffee can with lid ( labeled for syringe disposal)
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flash light or head lamp
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To Receive Our Newsletter
By Mail:
Send Your Name and Mailing Address to
Balsam Quarter
521 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
or email to balsamquarter@aol.com
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