Name the Mascot Competition

Our mascots would like to thank those who have already submitted names for the Name the Mascot Competition and would like to encourage everyone who hasn't to send in their entries. The deadline for submission is November 15th and we will be announcing our winners in the January Issue to celebrate the New Year. Submit your entries to youth@nwhorsesource.com or mail to Youth Mascot Contest, PO Box 717 Blaine, WA 98231. Our mascots will be available to answer horse related questions and offer advise. The most commonly asked questions will be printed in the magazine and others will be answered on-line.

Check out the great prizes you can win! A one-year subscription to Northwest Horse Source Magazine, Pat Parelli's Savvy System Level One: Partnership or a certificate for $250 of Nutrena Products. Special thanks to Parelli Natural Horsemanship and Nutrena Feeds for their support of NWHS Youth.

Introducing Our New Washington State Youth Representative

The Northwest Horse Source is pleased to introduce our new youth representative for the state of Washington. Erica Webster is 13 years old and home-schools. She is very active in Pony Club and 4-H with her 2 horses, Charley, a 16h. TBxStandardBred and Smoke, a 15.2h. QHxMustang. Erica competes in both English and Western events and also raises and shows Registered Suffolk sheep. We look forward to working with her.

*******************************************

We Need YOUth!

We are working hard to develop a youth page produced by young people to benefit all our young readers. We now have a youth representative for the state of Washington. It is our goal to have youth reps from Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, Arizona and British Columbia, Canada. That will give youth a voice throughout our entire distribution area. Youth reps will report on events in their region that are especially for youth, secure photos of youth in action with 4-H, breed showing, Pony Club or charity. If you are interested in representing the youth in your area, please email Michelle youth@nwhorsesource.com. We would also like input from our readers. How do you like what we have done so far and what would you like to see in the future? We would like you to benefit from the information we offer.

Winter Care for the Aged Equine
by Michelle Dempsey, Youth Editor, NWHS

Winter is almost here and those of us with older horses in our care may have a little extra work ahead of us. Many older horses lose weight over the winter, compromising their health. Here are 10 tips to help keep them healthy and happy this winter.

1. Make sure their teeth are in good condition. A horse can't get the best nutrition from the feed if it can't chew it well. A visit to the vet may be in order to correct tooth problems.
2. Worming your horse should be done regularly anyway but it's particularly important in the winter. You don't want your horse to be feeding countless internal parasites through the winter.
3. Feed good quality hay with lots of roughage. While being digested the roughage creates body heat helping the horse stay warm.
4. Feed a balanced diet. Older horses may need a senior formulated grain. There are many on the market. Talk to your vet or a nutritionist to help you balance the hay to grain ratio for your individual horse.
5. Keep them dry and out of the wind. Horses usually grow an adequate winter coat for insulation against cold weather but if they get wet on a cold day it is easy for them to catch a chill. Wind also can contribute to heat loss. A three sided shed, barn, or (as a last resort) a windbreak should be provided to help the horses keep warm with a minimum of effort.
6. Provide warm water if possible. Cold water takes energy to warm up in the body that could be used to stay warm. Any extra energy needed may come from fat, which will cause a horse to lose weight, which many older horses can't afford to lose.
7. If you blanket your horse for the winter make sure they don't become wet from sweat or soaked from the rain. A blanket should be dry at all times in order to do the job it's intended to do. A wet blanket could cause your horse to catch pneumonia.
8. Exercise is very important. It helps the blood get moving. Daily turn out or light riding is recommended. If your horse works up a sweat, rub them down well to get them as dry as possible.
9. Foot care is highly recommended. If your horse is not going to be ridden over the winter pull his shoes to prevent him from slipping on the ice. Watch for build-ups of snow, ice or mud in their feet. Cleaning your horse's feet daily should help prevent this problem.
10. Spend time with your horse. They get lonely and crave attention. It's also good for people to spend time with horses so it has a duel effect on both your hearts. Hug your horse, what will it hurt?