Request a Product For Review

Hello Readers,

I would like to enlist your help. I am always on the look out for innovative new products to make my horse life easier.

Are there any horse products or books that you would like to see reviewed? Is there product that you have been wanting to try, but didn't want to spend the money before you were sure that it would be everything that the manufacturer said it would be? As a professional trainer I go through a lot of products. There are some great inventions out there popping up every day please help me find them.

Please send me your requests to deanna@deannacastro.com.

Thanks in advance!

Deanna

Product Review - FURminator deShedding Equine Tool

We got to try out a new product this weekend called the FURminator deShedding Equine Tool Fredi, Myself & Perry all flipped for it.

When I got my FURminator in the mail it was like Christmas so I ripped open the package. I couldn’t get to the barn right away so I had to test it out on the Pug. I don’t know if the rest of you are like me, but when I get something new especially for a horse I have to have it out of the package and play with it immediately. I brushed the dog and all of that dead under coat started coming out in the blade. He sat quietly and allowed me to brush him. When I use a regular brush he usually squirms around and looks at me with those big sad eyes. He is kind of fragile so it was nice that I could be gentle and the grooming tool still worked.

I had one horse left in the barn that had not yet shed out and I was saving the test for her, but by the time I had gotten to the barn her owner had come and groomed her for hours so I couldn’t do the true test I wanted to do.

I was left with Perry who still had a few spots of patchy winter hair. We grabbed the FURminator and dug in HARD. I’m so used to scrubbing hard with a rubber curry to pull out the winter hair. Perry’s head popped up in the air like, “WHOA! What are you doing?” I then realized, the tool required no effort and started to run it through her hair softly. The old hair was easily coming out along with a lot of dirt that was next to her skin. I couldn’t believe how much dirt actually came up to the surface without using any effort or any dirt flying into my face like it does with traditional grooming methods. Fredi took over the grooming and Perry was stretching her neck and her top lip started to quiver in enjoyment.

Fredi grabbed the next brush and brushed off all the dirt. Perry was now so clean, SHINY, and soft. Judging by her reaction and how she looked after her grooming session I would say Perry gave it four hooves up. I absolutely love this product, and I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to make grooming easier and have their horse’s hair coat shine.

The FURminator Company makes all kinds of products for Horses, Dogs, and Cats for healthy skin and coats. You can check it out HERE to see why I am so excited about it!

A list of retail locations can be found on www.FURminatorEquine.com

Deanna

Blocker Tie Ring

It's not often that I find a "new" piece of horse equipment that I find so extraordinary but I was recently alerted to The Blocker Tie Ring. It's fantastic for training a horse that pulls back when tied.

Usually when I sack out a horse, I only ground tie him but with the Blocker Tie Ring you can safely tie the horse while you sack him out and teach him to stand comfortably tied at the same time. You don't have to worry about any more broken ties, halters, lead ropes, or worst of all a broken neck.

You can use the tie rings with a single tie, cross ties, or trailer ties. I think I need at least ten of them.

Check it out HERE.

Deanna

Omolene University

There is now a nifty University all horse lovers can attend and earn "Omolene Hours" which may be cashed in for merchandise. Omolene University courses teach horse owners about nutrition in horses.

Pass all four online courses and you will receive a coupon for $20 when you buy two bags of Omolene horse feed.

Once you have completed courses 1 - 4 $1 will be donated to NAHRA in your name.

Registration is free just go to omoleneuniversity.com and get started.

Deanna

UPDATE!

Omolene University is running a contest to name their mascot. The mascot is the cartoon horse on the site. By providing a name for him they will automatically give you five Omolene Hours! Contest ends April 30, 2008.

Free De-Worming Chart from Safe-Guard

Spring is almost upon us, in this part of the world anyway.
I associate spring with new beginnings, organization and cleaning. At this time of year, I like to really make sure that my horse is healthy starting from the inside.

A good de-worming program is paramount for your horse’s health.
In addition to keeping your pastures clean, it is important to keep your horse on a de-worming rotation schedule.

It is best to speak with your vet to determine what type of schedule best meets you and your horse’s needs.
Your vet can run a fecal sample on your horse and you will know without a doubt which type of if any parasite infestation is present in the animal.

For myself I prefer to do an eight-week rotation.
If this type of schedule fits your needs you may request a free barn chart from Safe-Guard by clicking HERE. Safe-Guard has taken the guess work out of the de-worming schedule for horse owners and caretakers based on seasonal parasite prevalence. There is some great information for horse owners about equine de-worming facts on the Get Rotation Right website.

My vet will be visiting soon and I will have another another fecal sample done to see how effective my program is working. You know you need to get out more often when you get excited about putting some manure in a plastic bag to send off to the lab!

Deanna