May News

April showers bring May flowers … and Rainbow's annual Spring Fair Anniversary Sale!

Yup, it's time again for the biggest sale of the year at Rainbow Ag, May 4, 5, & 6. 20% Off of EVERYTHING in the store (except hay and power equipment) and a big bouquet of HOT BUY savings on specially selected items too! You haven't seen these prices since the '90's! How about drip tubing – regular price $11.99 – for only $4.99 per roll (limit 5), or Nutro Max Chicken and Rice Adult dog food – the 30# bag – for only $14.99 (limit 5). Have chickens? Purina Scratch Grains will be on sale for $9.99 (limit 10). And no one, anywhere, has a lower regular price on Wrangler 13mwz Cowboy Cut jeans than Rainbow so we just have to beat our own price – during Spring Fair Sale, only $17.99 (limit 2 pair). Wow! Hot Buys will vary some between stores, but look for those Hot Buy signs to save big-time - that's May 4, 5 & 6 at each Rainbow Store - Ukiah, Lakeport and Calistoga. Don't miss it!

The Lakeport store is going all out for this year's Spring Fair Sale, with special guest Barbra Martin, animal communicator, at 11 AM and 1 PM on Saturday May 5. Barbara Martin is a Professional Animal Communicator and has been talking to animals and their people for the past 12 years.  She is coming to Rainbow Ag to share with you how you can improve your connection with your animal friends by “hearing” what they have to say. Come, relax, and listen for 45 minutes, and Barbara will share tools that you can practice at home to increase your intuitive skills, and your connection to your animal friend. Your animals will appreciate it and you may just be amazed with the results. Also at the Lakeport store on Saturday, there will be an Organic Gardening Seminar at 10:30 AM, with all 4" veggies at a special price. Lake County Animal Services will have adoptable pets at the store, and there will be a nail trimming seminar between 10 AM to 2 PM. You can also join in a Horse Shoe Toss for "bucks" – sounds like fun! Food will also be available!

If you love country music, read on for exciting news! Wrangler is sending one lucky Wrangler fan and their guest on a 6-day whirlwind trip to the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN, June 7 - 10th. It's the Wrangler® Six-String Summer® Sweepstakes! The grand prize winner will receive tickets to the 2012 CMA Music Festival to see the hottest stars in country music today. AND Wrangler will give the winner  the star treatment with a new Wrangler wardrobe. Learn more and enter now by clicking the Wrangler® Six-String Summer® tab on their Facebook page.

Nature's Essentials Enrich 12 and Enrich 32: This time of year, one of the biggest problems many horse owners face, is overweight horses. But just because a horse is fat - or too fat - doesn't mean he is getting the balanced nutrition needed to maintain health. Nature's Essentials Enrich 12 and Enrich 32 are formulated to provide the vital nutrients that Nature intended, without adding extra fat and carbs. To learn more, watch a video of Dr. Katie Young explaining how to help your horse lose weight, and get a $2.00 Coupon for Enrich 12 or Enrich 32.

Upcoming events: The Lake County Chapter of the California Dressage Society will be hosting a Dressage and Western Dressage schooling show, June 24 at Highland Springs Equestrian Center. For more information and entry forms, Contact Juliana Viditch juliana@highlandspringsequestrian.com.

J Arena has a spring clinic and schooling show scheduled for Sunday May 6 – a great way to perfect your showing skills and have some fun. Download the flier here - www.rainbowag.com/JArenaMay6Flyer_entry.pdf

On May 19th, Horse O'Rama – a free annual community event, takes place at Hidden Valley Lake Equestrian Center. See many different breeds and disciplines from around the world including Driving, Doma Vaquera, Dressage and Barrel Racing. More information call 987-4075.

There are too many events to list here, so check out the Events page! There's something for everyone, from Horsemanship Weekends to Gymkhana Series. Don't forget to send your event information to be included!

Note: the Highland Springs Trails Volunteers work day on May 5th has been canceled. For more information, check out the new Highland Springs Trails Volunteers web site! http://www.highlandspringstrailsvolunteers.com/

Happy Trails!

Caring for your Older Horse
Brie Taylor, DVM

Advances in nutrition, management, and health care have helped our horses to live longer, fuller lives. We are now seeing many horses in their thirties, whereas their lifespan used to run into early twenties. Although genetics play a role, you the owner can have an impact as well. Proper nutrition, care, and exercise help your horse thrive. Below are guidelines, also recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), to develop a management plan for your older horse.

Monitor and observe your horse on a regular basis. Address any problems, even minor ones, immediately. Watch for changes in body condition (weight, muscle mass, hair coat), behavior, and attitude. Feed a high quality diet, while avoiding dusty and moldy feeds. As your horse ages you will also need to supplement with a complete feed (grain) diet because they will wear down their teeth. Regular oral examinations and dentals by your veterinarian will help you assess how much to feed. It is also a good idea to feed your older horse away from any younger, more aggressive horses so it won't have to compete for feed. Frequency of feeding is important. More frequent intervals help the digestive tract. At least two to three times daily is best. Adjust and balance the rations of feed to maintain proper body conditions. You should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them. Provide plenty of fresh, clean, and tepid water at all times. If the water is excessively cold it will reduce consumption, leading to colic and other problems. It is especially important to check water once to twice daily in the winter when it can freeze over, not allowing any water for consumption. To maintain good muscle tone, flexibility, and mobility, please provide adequate and appropriate exercise. Groom your horse consistently to promote circulation and skin health. This will also help you assess your horse because you're putting your hands on it. Especially because your horse is older and more prone to tumors, look for any unusual lumps or bumps from head to tail as well as beneath the tail. Make sure you are properly deworming your horse, alternating types of dewormers every two months. And last, but certainly not least, schedule routine physical examinations with your veterinarian (every 6-12 months). Always call immediately if any problem is suspected.

Your horse is older, but it doesn't mean he or she still doesn't have a lot of verve for life left. Don't ignore them and just put them out to pasture. It is now when they require even more attention and care. Then they will live out a longer and better quality of life.