Category: Around the Farm

Around the Farm/Product Highlights

Holiday Gift Guide

Leave a comment

‘Tis the season!

One of my very most favorite things about the holidays is the added bonus of supporting small businesses for gifting. It makes such a difference to local vendors and smaller brands, and is much more personal than that waffle iron on Amazon.

Rumor has it that shipping and production delays are going to be a bit of a bear this year, so we thought we would share some of our favorite finds from small and local businesses that we’ve personally added to the farm, gifted or received and LOVED. Perfect gifting awaits you! Fa la laaaaaa

We are not sponsored or receive any promotions from these brands other than Devoucoux, we just love these items!

Anything from SP Rhodes

I’ve had a long relationship with boutique branding firm SP Rhodes. They’ve helped with logo design, tack shop signage, saddle pads, awards, gifts, stall plates, barn signage and a full custom barn map dry erase board. I’ve been thrilled with every item we’ve received! 10/10 will order (lots) more.

shop now

Tack Room Studio Whip Rack

Customize with their barn name or a cute expression, it’s functional AND a daily reminder of how sweet you are! Tack Room Studio offers multiple sizes and stains, plus oodles of coordinating items like this saddle stand!

shop now

Anique Sun Shirts

It’s no secret that we love our Anique sun shirts. They’re just soooo cooozzyy. The fabric is so soft it doesn’t make sense, the colors are on trend and the cut is always flattering. If anyone is asking, I’m dying to add the ‘night’ color to my collection!

shop now

Milk & Honeybell Bakery Cookies

(Or anything else they make for that matter) Part of our client gifts last year included these phenomenal cookies from local small baker milk & honeybell. They’re SO GOOD. We’ve also sampled some pastries and sourdough and have yet to be let down. Ordering available from Tuesdays on, follow their Instagram for the best updates.

shop now

Kingfour Faux Antler Rack

So in round two of barn updates, I wanted a fun bridle cleaning station hanger for the south barn. I bought one of these faux antler racks as a test and loved it so much I got a second one for our home. The house rack is bronze (which is decidedly my favorite) and this one in the barn is black with rose gold tips, which is also pretty and many colors are available. It’s so simple, but so unexpected and fun! What’s life without a little whimsy?

Shown here with a custom saddle rack by Saddle Stackers holding a Devoucoux Biarritz Lab

shop now

Devoucoux Bridle

Have you ever met an equestrian who wouldn’t be thrilled with the gift of tack? We thought not. We’re absolutely over the moon with our Devoucoux saddles and gear and can highly recommend their quality and comfort. Next on this rider’s wishlist is a blingy Harmonie bridle to match my saddle bling, but they also come in hunter, figure eight and other models. So much to love.

If you have any Devoucoux questions, reach out to Lindsey or Teigan and we’ll put you in touch with our wonderful rep Chloe!

shop now

Highland Design Co Raised Dog Feeder

I like to think that our danes appreciate the elegance of their new custom stained water bowl, but if they don’t – I sure do! The seller was kind enough to customize the height, stain in their signature blend and adjust from the standard (and more chic) porcelain bowls to more basic stainless steel bowls for my dogs. Love this!

shop now

Custom Wood Slice Bridle Hooks

I knew EXACTLY what I wanted in the tack room for saddle and bridle storage, but not many people could see my vision. I’m pleased to say that both came out better than I had imagined! This Etsy vendor kindly made samples and customized the bridle hooks to my specifications. I’m happy every time I see them.

shop now

Fairfax & Favor Belts and Boots

I became an instant fan the first time I laid eyes on a pair of Fairfax & Favor boots jogging in a trot up. It’s no secret that we Floridians don’t get often get to enjoy the type of fall layering that normally comes with suede boots, but fret not! They also have super cute ankle boots, drivers, belts and an amazing bag collection.

shop now


The gift of experience….

Lessons

Who doesn’t love a riding lesson?! If you said you don’t, you might be in the wrong place, ‘cause around here we like to learn! The gift of a lesson with a good coach is such a wonderful treat. Some of our local favorites:

Teigan Mercer

Pam Sbarra

Claudia Tarlov

Meghan Michaels

Jackie Kinney

Photos

I’ve found that nearly all equestrians want riding or barn photos, but decidedly fewer are comfortable splurging on the experience. Why not take the guess work out of it for your favorite equestrian? A few photogs that we love:

Nicole Schultz / Boss Mare Media

Lauren Pitylak Fine Art

Erica Hills Photography

Around the Farm/Horse Care Tips

A Blanketing Guide for Floridians

Leave a comment

As the temperature (and humidity) drops, you may have noticed your horse looking a little fluffier than usual. Even though our South Florida winters are mild, the horses start to hold weight by fall in preparation for winter and we see hair coat development triggered by shorter day length and lower temperatures.

During chilly days, our horses’ hair stands up to trap and retain body heat as a clever built-in insulation. Unfortunately in Vero Beach, it is pretty common to have large swings in both the temperature and humidity within a single 24 hour period. A 20° temperature swing between day and night is typical. We find, particularly in October, that the horses have a hard time with the moody weather. ‘Chilly’ one day, back to humid and 90° the next. Not funny, Florida.

The swing in humidity in particular can really affect their ability to sweat and thermoregulate. Especially for an unclipped horse, this can mean that they’re comfortable overnight but can overheat during the day. For that reason, we recommend clipping as soon as your horse seems to be struggling with the weather or has bloomed a coat, and continuing to clip throughout the winter as necessary. Of course if he or she isn’t in work and can stay out of the peak sun, your furry friend might sail through this awkward season for Floridians.

If you have a dark horse or non-sweater, we’ve probably chatted with you and your vet team about supplementations that can help them acclimate to the humidity (One AC, Sweat More, Platinum Refresh, electrolytes), which we start in April and continue through October for horses with sweating issues.

When real winter hits, our horses smartly thermoregulate. The thermoneutral zone is the temperature range at which a horse maintains its body temperature with little to no energy expenditure. The lower critical temperature (LCT) for each horse is influenced by their hair coat, body condition, location, age, wetness and wind chill. Once the temperature drops below that LCT, their hair coat and normal calorie intake alone aren’t enough to keep them warm. The temperatures a horse is used to can impact his LCT, which is why horses in warmer climates often get blanketed at milder temps than horses in colder areas – we’re not just wimps! The LCT for most Floridian horses ranges between 30° and 50° Fahrenheit.

To help a horse maintain warmth in the winter you can do three main things;

  • Feed more // Good nutrition is key and it is important that your horse gets enough hay.  The fermentation of hay in the horse’s hindgut produces an incredible amount of heat.  Basically, they have a built in furnace that is fueled by hay.
  • Blanket // Help them insulate, stay dry and block wind
  • Don’t clip // Let them self-insulate

BLANKETING

The below chart is the general blanketing guidelines we use for our seaside pones. Keep in mind that each horse is unique and you need to modify for their individual comfort (and owner preferences), which we do here at the farm. Fritzy, for example, runs warm. He is a big bodied warmblood and prefers to be mostly naked until it’s about 45-50° and then he’ll let us put his PJs on. Conversely, we’ll make sure an older Thoroughbred mare who is a harder keeper is bundled up sooner than later so she doesn’t burn calories trying to self heat. If you’re not sure to blanket or not on a particular night because there is a big fluctuation in weather, keep this rule of thumb in mind; I find it generally healthier for horses to be a little chilly than to overheat preceding a temperature drop which then makes them get a chill from their damp coats.

Copper Light Farm Florida horse blanketing chart, blanketing temperature guide

We all seem to accumulate mountains of blankets but we really only request everyone to have two necessities – a turnout sheet (0g weight) and a turnout blanket (in a 100-250g range). The third recommendation in line of use is a stable sheet which can be worn on nights that require slight warmth or under the blanket to layer.

You are welcome to keep a more broad range of blankets here at the farm but with these two suggested blankies at a minimum, your horse will stay pretty cozy. As a note, I personally prefer turnouts so that they are multi-purpose and can be used in stall and also in when the horses are outside. For those that aren’t familiar; a turnout sheet or blanket is made with some level of waterproofing, whereas a stable sheet or blanket is not waterproof. Stable sheets are generally cotton and stable blankets are squishy snuggly fellows. Stablewear is easier to layer, but they retain moisture if they get wet and don’t block the wind as well. Their turnout counterparts are a touch heavier in the lightest ‘sheet’ version but the blankets are generally comparable in weight. There are a million blanket variations, layering options and other styles that I’m not covering here, so if you want to talk blankets don’t hesitate to reach out!

OTHER COZY DETAILS

In addition to blanketing on chilly nights, we also make sure every horse in the barn is well hayed. Remember that the hay fermenting in their guts is a prime source of heating.

We generally don’t believe in closing the stall windows against the air, ventilation is paramount to equine respiratory health, but we will close the barn doors if it’s going to be frosty.

If we’re experiencing one of our big temperature fluctuations, we might also either wet grain meals or make a meal into mash (regular grain + bran + oil + water) to encourage hydration and gut motility. Year round, our horses have access to salt so they are encouraged to drink.

We also keep our horses more hydrated with the use of steamed hay from our beloved Haygain hay steamer. Feeding steamed hay can increase water intake up to three times – that’s major! Read about Haygain here: https://www.haygain.us/ (not an ad, we just love them!)

If you’re a boarder and have questions, never hesitate to ask!
and also… if you’re not a boarder and have questions, never hesitate to ask!

We are happy to share our experiences and collective research with anyone who wants to dive into it. As with most things with horses, there are a million different opinions and approaches. Ours have been developed from experience and with the input of trusted veterinarians and professionals. But remember what works for us might need to be tweaked for your own horse. Cheers to a cozy season for all!

Around the Farm

Cliff Schadt Clinic this winter

Leave a comment

We are thrilled to welcome a bevvy of world class equestrians to the farm this winter, including renowned horsemanship expert Cliff Schadt!

Cliff focuses on developing horses for anywhere from the ranch to the Grand Prix. Drawing on experiences with horseman such as Martin Black, Craig Cameron, and Pat Parelli, Cliff has built a solid program that tailors to fit horses and humans of any age, discipline, and skill level. The 2021 SEFHA Colt Starting Champion, Cliff’s core belief is that when we make a horse feel safe and confident, we can build a solid foundation to ensure success for the rest of the horse’s career. “Rhythm creates Relaxation, Rhythm and Relaxation together create Understanding”

There’s just something about a real cowboy that helps a horse find their confidence, so it’s no surprise that top dressage and jump riders are seeking out master horsemen like Cliff to help start their young horses and give them the best foundation possible, as well as develop deeper bonds with horses already in training. Cliff and his team offer a variety of training options during clinics; from colt starting to advanced applied horsemanship. So there is something for everyone to learn and develop that you can take with you to every horse you ride.

Interested in working with Cliff when he’s at Copper Light? Email ride@copperlightfarm.com or call 772-212-1328

Here’s a little bit about what you can expect from working with Cliff at our clinic this winter:

Intro to Horsemanship

Take both horse and rider to new levels of performance. This session is designed for the developing horse and rider team. Participants will begin with ground work exercises to develop communication, balance, and leadership with their equine partner. Participants will then continue their experience by transitioning these fundamentals to under saddle work that will advance performance across any discipline by developing rhythm, balance, and understanding.

Applied Horsemanship

Building on Solid Foundations. This session is designed for experienced horse and rider teams who are looking to sharpen their skills to further develop their horses. This session is more tailored to the group needs as horses begin to diversify in their chosen fields of performance. From masters of the trail to the grand prix this session is designed to integrate more advanced maneuvers while still integrating the foundations of horsemanship and clear, fair communication.

Foundations of English Riding

Improving performance with Rhythm, Balance, and Understanding. This session is designed to improve riders of all levels across English riding disciplines. Improve your communication skills and send clearer messages to your equine partner while instilling confidence in both horse and rider.

Foundations of Cowhorse Riding

Giving purpose to arena work. Horses thrive when they have a job to focus on. Cow work provides meaning to maneuvers and skills practiced in “dry” work. This encourages free, determined movement and learning from the horse instead of traditional arena drilling.

Colt Starting

Need a confident first ride for your young horse? We specialize in preparing and developing horses for their first experiences with a rider. Let us set a great foundation for you to follow up on.

Have several horses that need to be started? Not a Problem! Want them to have a solid foundation to grow off of? Even better. We offer custom colt start options to provide young horses with the best options to be successful in any future discipline. Let us tailor our approach to fit your program!

Visit his facebook for loads of info:

https://www.facebook.com/CliffSchadtPerformanceHorsemanship/

https://www.cliffschadt.com/

Around the Farm

Breathe Deep

Leave a comment

It’s late afternoon on a balmy Saturday, the farm is busier than you’d expect for such a hot August day. But the barn aisle is breezy enough to make stable chores tolerable and riders are smartly enjoying the shade of the covered arena. 


I returned from a rare weeklong trip fully expecting a little bit of chaos or discontent. Yet to my delight,  our boarding clients at the farm this afternoon are full of welcomes home and encouragement for taking a break. The barn is neat and orderly, the hay and feed is overflowing yet organized, and most importantly the horses are happy and gleaming. 

{Insert sigh of relief here}


We’ve all seen the blog posts about barn ownership woes, but here’s the thing; as much as you hear or read about it, you can never really understand how nonstop farm work is unless you live it. 

I can tell you that I lay awake at 4am thinking about nutritional changes for your horse, or that instead of chatting with my hubby during our few moments of solace while walking the dogs, I stare at the paddocks wondering if a horse will settle. You might see said hubby dragging the arena and hand raking edges at 11pm the night before a clinic because riders finished late… but until you’re the one laying awake researching grain in the middle of the night or holding your personal life together with a thread because you don’t have the brain power for anything outside of horses, you can’t fully understand how epically all-consuming farm life is. 


I don’t write this seeking sympathy, simply to illustrate that at some point, your horse care team needs a mental reset. They need to leave the farm and have conversations about something other than manure output or fly control. To be a whole person, they need to have more than the four walls of a barn. It shocked me how much I didn’t realize this. I hadn’t seen my family in three years, I hadn’t been on a vacation with my fella in six. It was time to leave the farm. Simple as that. 


So I overstaffed, over ordered, over planned, said a prayer and off we went for a week in the sun. 


The best advice that I didn’t take was to not look at my phone. There is no true way for me to vacate this job, but you know what? Checking in at home between dives to help keep things running smoothly was a small price to pay for dinners with friends and days on the boat.  As I realized our planning was paying off, the guilt melted away like frost on a margarita. I inhaled the breeze as we sped through the bay, and I came back to life one deep breath at a time. 


But as we pulled into the drive, the worry crept back in. Would everything and everyone be alright? Did anything not get relayed? My fears were quickly assuaged. Not only was the farm still standing, our clients were beaming and sharing in the joy of my adventure. 

What an absolute gift.

To realize that we are surrounded by a group of people who understand our need for a little R&R was completely overwhelming. I am so grateful for these lovely people, and the most wonderful staff that handled the extra work with such professionalism and grace. 


After a long journey home, I happily dug into evening chores with a newfound sense of self. I can be both fully committed to the care of these horses AND find time to be a real person. So can the rest of our barn staff, and the staff at your own barns. When they leave the farm, let them leave it behind to relax their minds. When it’s the weekend and you have a question for the farrier about hoof polish, leave it until Monday.  I promise you, your horse will only benefit.


I’ll keep grinding, but will say goodbye to the guilt of the grind, and know I am better at my job for it. I’ll always be a perfectionist, even now I look out at our gorgeous property and see only the things I want to improve. But I will try not to let stress consume me about perceived imperfections. Continue improving, continue learning, but allow room for some mental quiet and find joy from all the good.


So here’s to equine professionals everywhere, may you all have clients as wonderful as mine, who also understand the benefits of breathing deep from time to time.