Most Asked Questions

"Frequently Asked Questions"

I am occasionally asked questions about how I care for my horses and what I do with my horses in various situations. I will give a general answer to some of these questions but REMEMBER - ALWAYS consult your veterinarian before giving your horse ANY type of medication. If you notice something is wrong with your horse CONTACT your veterinarian. Items to call your horse heath provider include horse limping, horse going off food for more than a day or two, or a cut that you think needs attention.

The glossary below includes terms that are

common in most horse breeds

Miniature Horse: A horse measuring 34 inches or less at the withers	In Foal: describes a pregnant mare.
Blemish: Injury or imperfection that does not affect the horse's serviceaility	Mare: A female horse.
Bred: Mated	Markings: Identifiable features on a horse, such as stars, blazes and white areas on the legs or body.
Breeder: The owner or lessee of the dam at the time of service (breeding)	Open: A mare that is not in foal.
Brood Mare: A mare that has been mated and is used to produce foals.	Pedigree: A record tracing a horse's ancestry.
Colt: A male horse, four-years-old or younger	Produce: a mare's offspring
Conformation: The physical structure of the horse	Sire: A horse's male partner
Cryptorchid: An ungelded male horse of any age that has one or more undescended testes.	Sound: Normal and healthy; free from injury or flaw.
Dam: A horse's female parent	Stallion: An uncastrated male horse.
Farrier: A blacksmith or horseshoer	Suckling: A foal of either gender that has been weaned from the dam.
Filly: A female horse, four-years-old or younger	Tack: Equipment, such as halters, harness, etc.
Foal: A young horse of any sex in its first year of life. When used as a verb (to foal), means to give birth.	Weanling: A foal of any sex in its first year of life once he or she has been weaned from the dam.
Get: a stallion's offspring	Yearling: A horse of any sex in its second calendar year of life, beginning January 1 of the year following its birth

"Frequently Asked Questions"

The glossary below includes terms that are

common in most horse breeds

"YEARLY VACCINATIONS"

( The following are my opinions - not comments from a vet. )

Early Spring we give four injections to each horse -

1. Equine Rhinopneumonitis Vaccine (also known as Rhino) this is for respiratory problems

2. West Nile Virus (disease that can lead to potentially fatal neurological illness) this disease is spread by mosquitoes.

3. Encephalomyelitis- Influenza Vaccine - Tetanus (EWT)

this is also a virus that causes neurological disease, it is carried by birds and transmitted to horses by mosquitoes

4. Streptococcus Equine - is used as a vaccine that may protect against strangles, this a respiratory problems

Check with your veterinarian as to the month your horses should be vaccinated and for what.

Your vet can also discussion with you the side affects of some vaccinations, at what age new foals should be vaccinated and how to handle vaccination of pregnant mares.

ALLWAYS ASK YOUR VET FOR YEARLY VACCINATION ADVICE, FOR YOUR LOCALE, THE TIME OF THE YEAR, AND WHAT VACCINATIONS DOES HE RECOMMEND.

Caspian Head Structure vs Other Horse Breeds

Below is an informative page from Brenda Dalton's Book " The Caspian Horse" which shows the difference in the head bone structure of a Caspian Horse vs heads of other horse breeds.

2010 FOALS

Last month someone asked how many foals I have coming in 2010. We are cutting numbers so we are way down from previous years of 60 - 70 foals; that is both Caspian and miniatures.

Beginning in mid-February we are expecting the first of 28 miniatures that we expect in 2010.

I did not breed any Caspians for 2010 foals. I WILL be breeding in 2010 for 2011 foals.

May all your foals be fillies and all the births be between 6 PM and 10PM. Yea, we all wish

CHILDREN AND HORSES

When the weather warms and people see new calves and foals, puppies and kittens, everyone wants a foal. When I am asked should I buy this foal for my child, kid (usually under 10 years of age)?

I do not make the decision for them, but I ask questions. I do not want anyone to get hurt on anything they purchase from me.

1. Does the child want the animal? Does child know the animal is going to be as big as the mother animal?

2. Will the child have to personally take care of said animal? Does he, she or you (adult) know how to do so.

3. Is there a vet near you and does he/she treat this kind of animal?

4. Are you, the parent, comfortable with the animal?

5. Do you realize this animal can kick, bite, roll over, run away from you, does not come at his/her name call all the time and if keep in a small area will produce a lot of poop?

6. Do you have a place, building, pen, and/or pasture for the animal?

7. Has the child asked for this animal for months or years. Or is this response to a movie and book he/she just read?

If the family decides they need a horse, if you decide that you do not like the horse you purchased from MCC Farms and he does not fit with your family, child or farm. Bring him back to the farm - no questions asked.

I Care about my animals. Each of us make decisions every day, month and year regarding our animals. You do what is right for you, not because I or the next door neighbor, or your friend tells you what they do.

Animals are great pets, and unbiased listener and provides unconditional love.