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Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I send with my horse?
What do you feed?
How much feed is covered by "board", and what is the feeding program?
What about supplements?
I have an unbroke 2YO, what can I expect?
What should my horse have, as far as vaccinations, before getting to your barn?
What should my horse know before I send him in?
How long will my "problem horse" have to be in training?
When I take my horse home, what then?
What can I expect going to a show?
What is expected from me at a show?
What is expected of me while I'm at the barn?
What should I send with my horse?
Typically, all you need to send with your horse is a clean sheet, and in cold weather, a clean blanket. If you have a turn-out/blanket combo, that is preferable. Show horses should also consider having a hood and/or sleezy. Any special requirements, i.e. supplements such as strongid, B&L, long term theraputic medications etc.. should be sent as well. All horses kept with us are given a very basic coat/joint supplement in addition to their feed. Anything extra is the owner's responsiblity. (See: What about supplements?)
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What do you feed?
Our grain is a personalized mix created by our local feed mill, JJ Feeds. It is an oat base, with very little molasses, contains 2 types of hay pellets and is high in soybean oil. It is 13% protein and 10% fat.
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How much feed is covered by "board", and what is the feeding program?
Horses are fed three times a day; AM- grain and 1 flake hay, NOON- 1 flake hay, PM- grain and 2 or 3 flakes hay. (Amount of hay is adjustable depending upon your horse's need) The amount of grain covered by "board" is anywhere from 3/4 scoop, to 2 scoops. (Our scoop is roughly 2.5 lbs) Any horse that requires more than that to maintain good weight will be put on high fat diet. The fat source will be determined by what that particular horse does best on. The cost of the addition to their diet will be the responsibility of the owner. If D/K Show Horses has to order/pick-up/etc.. the additional feed, then it will be billed at cost + $10. If the owner orders/delivers/etc.. then there is no additional charge.
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What about supplements?
All horses with us are given a basic coat/joint supplement. Any specific supplements you require, should be sent with your horse and are your responsiblity. Horses staying 30 days should have their supplements seperated in individual baggies. Horses staying longer may be sent with original supplement containers, properly labeled with horse name and amount. D/K Show Horses does not believe in excessive supplementation, as most horses needs are met through their regular feed, however, if we feel that your horse requires something extra, we'll inform you, purchase said supplement, and bill you appropriately.
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I have an unbroke 2YO, what can I expect?
Depending on how much handling your horse has had, you can pretty much expect to leave them with us for 60-90 days. We do not like to take youngsters for less than 60 days, and usually by the end of 90 days, they are due for a mental break, so we suggest that they go home for a 30-60 days. The first 30 days are generally committed to ground work, saddling, bitting, ground driving, and maybe a few rides, mostly at the walk and trot- getting the youngster used to packing a rider, going forward, steering and stopping. The second 30 days usually involves loping, riding with traffic, and refining the basics. Very much depends on your horses attitude and aptitude.
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What should my horse have, as far as vaccinations, before getting to your barn?
Please be sure that your horse has a current (that year) coggins, and rabies, as well as being up to date on EEE, West Nile, Tetnus, Rhino, Flu and Strangles vaccinations. It would not hurt to do an additional Flu and/or Rhino booster 2-4 weeks before arrival at D/K Show Horses if your horse is a young horse, that has not been often exposed to other horses, or hasn't traveled much. D/K Show Horses, being a show barn, has a volume of stock travel through, as well as leaving and returning from various horse shows. This means young stock arriving at the barn, are very likely to be exposed to viruses, etc.. that they have not been exposed to before. Boostering only helps make your young horse's system more prepared.
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What should my horse know before I send him in?
He/she doesn't HAVE to know anything, however, in order to get the most value for your dollar, the more groundwork you have done, the less time we have to spend on it, and the more time we can spend teaching your horse from his back.
Therefore, generally speaking, it is best if your horse knows (and UNDERSTANDS) these basic things- leading, tying, feet being handled, and longeing.
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How long will my "problem horse" have to be in training?
That strictly depends on the horse, and how deep rooted the issue is. Sometimes what appears to be a severe problem is simply a pain issue, or something else easily remedied. Often times, however, it is not so simple. Once a horse has learned a behavior, they can not "unlearn" it. Therefore it must either be buried as deep as possible under layers of proper behavior, or the horse is given new "tools" (behaviors) to deal with the issue(s). Of all the types of horses that come to us, these are the most time consuming, and must be dealt with the most carefully. There is no possible way to set a time constraint on these horses. Each is an individual and must be dealt with as such.
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When I take my horse home, what then?
Prior to any horse leaving, we thoroughly encourage you to come out and watch us work with them, and then work with them yourself, with our guidance. It is our preferance that you do this as much as possible while your horse is with us, especially after the first two weeks, as during the time they are in training, their attitude and behaviour may change quite rapidly. When it comes time for you to take your horse home, we will outline that horse's entire program for you- we try to include everything from feeding, to their daily schedule, to any quirks we've discovered and how to deal with them. If your horse is a show horse, class/show prep will be outlined. Of course, even after your horse is home, we're always available by phone (leave a message, we're probably riding) for any questions. A point to remember is that every horse is different depending on his/her surroundings, and their handling. Consistent handling produces a consitent horse. At D/K Show Horses we spend much time tailoring a program to suit your individual horse. This program is what we've found produces the optimal results with your equine. When you and your horse leaves we will outline this program to you, and then work with you to help you modify it to your time and facility constraints.
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What can I expect going to a show?
That depends on if the horse is in training or not. Horses currently in training recieve priority treament in regards to available stalls, hauling, schooling, etc... If we have room in our aisleway at a show we'll accept outside (horses previously in training, occasional lesson people, et. al.) horses. Otherwise, expect to have your horse schooled as needed (again, current training horses, and young/novice horses {that are showing} have priority) you will recieve coaching the evening prior (time allowing), prior to your class(es), on the rail during, and a "post-mortem" following your class(es).
Additionally, we will endevour to be available to assist you in preparing (grooming, etc..) your horse prior to entering the show pen. That is of course dependent upon our time available. We have not yet discovered the secret to being in two places at once effectively, and therefore under certain conditions we may not be immediately available.
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What is expected from me at a show?
D/K Show Horses strives to have a harmonious, effecient, aisleway while at shows. Therefore it is each persons responsiblity to-
1)Lend a hand when ever possible. I.e.- if a stall needs picked, pick it. If the aisle needs swept, sweep it. Horses need water, water them. If someone is running behind and needs assistance getting ready, offer it.
2)Support your fellow 'barnmates'. Again, if someone needs a hand, lend them one. Be polite and considerate at all times- no matter what. Horse shows are a high stress environment, with everyone operating on minimal amounts of food and sleep. Tempers do get stretched. Just always remember the "golden rule".
3)Provide or make arrangements for your own bedding for your horse.
4)Provide or make arrangements for braiding/banding of your horse. D/K Show Horses can provide those sevices, but only on a 'first come-first serve' basis and as time allows.
5)If your horse is not currently in training- provide your own hay/grain- and talk to the person volunteering for AM and PM feedings about feeding your horse. Be sure to be prepared to show- horse clipped/clean/etc.. Remember, while you are with us, you represent us.
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What is expected of me while I'm at the barn?
There is only one very basic rule we impose upon everyone who enters the barn, regardless of what they are there for (visiting, or lessons); "If you see it needs done, do it." The long and short of it is- don't be afraid to pitch in. If it needs water, water it. If it needs cleaned, clean it. Prior to leaving the barn, please be sure your horse's stall is picked, and their halter is taken off, and hung properly on their stall door.
While you are there, you will be given an equal share of our time, depending, of course, on your purpose. I.E. If you're just there to visit, don't expect to recieve the same attention as a lesson, and please do not interrupt. We do try to divide our attention as fairly as possible, so that everyone has some of our time.
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