Ozark Canada Miniature Horse Tack and Supplies

 Michelle Courtemanche, DVM www.mpequine.com

 With my interest and experience in the Miniature Horse industry I am surprised at how few of them I see for dental care. Equine dentistry can be one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of veterinary medicine. These days many veterinarians have special training in dentistry and several have devoted their practice exclusively to the subject. As an associate at McKee-Pownall Equine Services I perform a variety of services on...

We did it again! Stone Maples Mackenzies Joy and I have won a Horse of The Year title for the second year in a row. I got an email from the registry letting me know the exciting news!!!  In 2010 we won AMHR Division A Performance Horse of The Year and in 2011 we have won AMHR Division A Driving Horse of The Year. This is the first year that AMHR has offered the driving division. We are also the first Canadians to win back to back Horse of the Year honours, I am VERY proud of my boy!! I...

Maintain a regular deworming program is essential to the health of your horse.  Check out Mckee-Pownell Equine Services great info on deworming protocols. http://www.mpequine.com/education/health-care-faq/deworming  You will need to do a deworming in November, which one will depend on your protocol.

Hooves continue to grow throughout the winter and need to be trimmed regularly, 6-8 week intervals u...

Less than a week until my horses are back in the showring! YAY! I am heading down to Williamston, NC to visit the Powell family and to attend an AMHR show. I will be heading to Oswego, NY first to rendevous with Bruce Abbott of Dawn's Chase Farm. We will then head on down to NC. It is a beautiful drive to take in the Spring! While I am in NY state I plan to visit Mccarthy's Lakeside Stable to have a look at some of the new babies. A great week ahead, I can't wait! My 3yr. old will be making h...

The Harness

A harness is comprised of many different parts, that are all there to do a job.

1. Saddle

2. Terrets

3. Lines(Reins)

4. Waterhook

5. Crupper Strap

6. Shafts

7. Girth

8. Tug

9. Wrap Straps

10. Shaft Stop(brass fitting on cart)

11. Breastcollar

12. Singletree

The Driving Bridle

A driving bridle is made up of several parts-

1.blinkers/winkers

2.caveson or noseband

3.winkerstays

4.teardrop

5.browband

6.winkerstay billet

7.the crown

8.gagrunner

9.cheek pieces

10.the bit

11.the throatlatch

12.rosette(concho)

13.sidecheck or overcheck

The...

A couple of diagrams I thought would be helpful. I get a lot of questions regarding harness and how to hitch to a cart. I am going to add to my blog later on how to fit harness and cart.

I am filling out my first show entries for the season!! Woohoo! Finally winter is gone!  I am heading down to Williamston, NC Apr. 14, 15. for their 6th annual Spring Fling. A really great show at a topnotch facility. I went down last year with my friend, Bruce Abbott and I am excited to be going again. Lots of great horses, great folks and I remember a pizza party too!! I will get to visit with my friends, David and Dr. Cheryl Powell and their daughter Heather and see all of their hor...

I am so excited to see the first sign of Spring! hmmm...what could that be? well around here it is mud!  Not my favorite thing but it definately is a sign that things are warming up a wee bit anyway. This weekend we go to daylight savings time in my neck of the woods so that is  always something to look forward to  and makes me think Spring is right around the corner. I have had my clippers out and started to do some heads and necks so bridles and neck sweats will fit on...

If you are looking for information on miniature horses there are some great websites to take a look at.  www.lilbeginnings.com is a great place to start. There is a forum to join to chat with fellow miniature horse enthusiasts, many topics are covered there. There are lists of breeders by country and by state, resources for all things miniature horse and shetland pony. As well, there are classified boards for Canada, the United States and a...