Category: General Articles

If you’re looking for a horse jump for your yard, you might wonder how good they are. Unfortunately, many people are hesitant to buy them because they’re not sure whether they’ll last and hold up to a child’s wear and tear. Fortunately, there are several factors you can consider before you purchase a wooden horse jump, including price, aesthetics, maintenance, and durability. These factors will help you determine which jump is suitable for your yard.

Aesthetics

There are several good reasons to own a horse jump accessories. Not only are they durable and practical, but they are also aesthetically pleasing. However, they do require some maintenance. Bad weather can do more damage than good, so keep yours protected. The best way to do this is to use the correct paint.

The best part is that you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to paint a wooden jump properly. Use a brush that will not snag on silicone-based products. You’ll also want to seal it up with a coat of painter’s caulking. Wooden jumps are prone to rot and moisture, so protecting them from the elements is essential.

Durability

Wooden horse jumps are a common choice for professional jumpers. However, the durability of wooden jumps requires a lot of attention. If you don’t take care of them, they’ll rot.

The type of wood you choose will have a significant impact on the durability of your jump. It’s recommended to go with either Lodge pine or German spruce.

There are also new materials to choose from. For example, foam poles have become a popular schooling tool. They’re great for grid work and landing rails.

Vinyl is another option. Vinyl is lighter than wood, but it doesn’t last as long. This means that you won’t need to repaint your jumps as often. In addition, vinyl doesn’t splinter or crack.

Cost

A wooden horse jump is a worthwhile investment. You may be surprised at how cheap they can be. You can pick up a 10 ft X slant for less than $4,000. Compared to vinyl horse jumps, they are virtually maintenance-free. They are also a much safer option for your horses. Wooden jumps are more likely to stand the test of time. Besides, wood looks better.

One of the perks of owning a horse is the ability to ride in style. This is especially true if you’ve got an excellent stable mate. For that matter, a good horse can make even a mediocre jump look great. When it comes to competitions, you’ll want to ensure that your horse has the best jump possible, and a wooden one is a way to go.

Proper set-up

To set up wooden horse jumps, you must follow a few steps to make them sturdy and safe. This is especially important if you are planning to keep them outside. First, the jumps should be covered with something, so they will not get damaged from the ground.

Before you start, deciding how big you would like your jump to be is essential. A standard hunter and jumper width is 12 feet. In addition, you need to know what kind of boards you need to construct the jump. Ideally, pressure-treated lumber is recommended. It will resist moisture and rot better than non-treated wood.

You can also choose a color for your wooden jumps. Painting your jumps will protect the wood and provide a polished look. Paints that have a white base are recommended. White paint will also help you make the leap visible to your horse.

Maintenance

If you have a wooden horse jump, you know it requires a little maintenance. The best time to re-coat the wood is during the off-season when you aren’t using it for jumping. You also want to avoid exposing the wood to the elements.

There are several ways to keep your investment in top condition. First and foremost, a good-quality painter’s caulking can do wonders. This is not a replacement for a regular coat of paint but an extra layer of protection. Another good option is a wood treatment kit. Keeping a wooden horse jump clean and dry will prevent rot from setting in.

A well-designed wooden jump can withstand the rigors of years of use. For example, most hops are manufactured from premium-grade Euro-Spruce wood. As a bonus, the wood will maintain its optimum weight.

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When purchasing a deer blind for hunting, it would be wise to keep a few things in mind. These include size, noise level, wind direction, and sun exposure. You can choose the ideal hunting blind for you by being aware of these factors. In addition, you should make sure to buy a blind with good reviews.

Wind direction

When buying hunting deer blinds Michigan, it’s important to consider wind direction. While wind patterns vary, most hunting areas have a prevailing west or northwest wind direction. So if you’re hunting during a windy day, try setting up your stand on the downwind side of your common deer area. It will keep you less visible to the deer and reduce the chance of them smelling you.

The direction of the wind will also affect the scent that a deer will pick up. If a deer can smell you, it will almost certainly lose. Therefore, considering the wind can significantly affect your success rate.

Sun direction

The sun’s direction can be essential when buying a deer blind. It can help reduce your chances of seeing the animal. It is also necessary to consider the wind direction. It is better to place the blind on the east side of an area if the wind is coming from the north.

You must consider the location of your deer blind when buying it. Avoid placing it in a high-traffic area. If the deer are not scared of human traffic, they may not avoid your deer blind. However, choosing a blind with the correct orientation can increase your chances of a successful hunt.

Size

Hunting deer blinds can be made of many different sizes, depending on the number of hunters and the equipment they require. A deer blind’s size is determined by the number of chairs and other equipment needed. For instance, a stool will take up half the space of an office chair with armrests. Drawing the deer blind’s outline on the ground and setting the seats within can help you pick the correct size. The tower’s height depends on the amount of cover and terrain in the area.

Some hunters prefer a blind with dark interior walls. It will make it more difficult for animals to see the hunter’s silhouette, helping them to remain hidden. Another essential factor to consider is the height of the platform. If you plan to use an elevated hunting platform, make sure it’s made of sturdy materials. For instance, you could spend money on a steel ladder to adjust the platform’s height when it’s time to switch positions.

Noise level

When choosing a hunting blind, it’s essential to consider its noise level. It is necessary to have several hunters using the blind simultaneously. The door of your blind should be easy to operate and relatively quiet. It should also be waterproof and sealed from the scent.

Deer blinds are great for camouflage and can be used to fool wild prey. However, hunters often lose their chances because the slightest movement can cause noise. Noise can also be a significant issue for deer, which are highly sensitive to sound. Therefore, when buying a hunting deer blind, choose one with an appropriate noise level. You can also consider the noise-absorbing qualities of the materials used to make your blind.

Hunting deer blinds come with several advantages. Amish blinds are made with superior-quality materials and come with 50-year warranties on the siding.

Some of these blinds also come with LP SmartSide siding, which helps reduce the chance of mold and bugs. Another benefit of a tree stand is its safety. It comes with a seat and ladder, but it is essential to secure yourself by wearing a safety harness. Likewise, do not carry an unloaded firearm or bow while you climb a tree stand. You should also use a haul line for the bow.

Material

When purchasing hunting deer blinds, choosing the suitable material for your needs is essential. The material should be firm, weather-resistant, and inconspicuous to wildlife. Natural material is wood, but you can also choose aluminum or stainless steel. Hardwoods are an excellent choice because they have UV resistance.

Stainless steel or aluminum reinforcing elements are preferred. Both of these materials resist rust and corrosion and improve the structural integrity of the hunting blind. The type of window is another important consideration. Mesh windows improve concealment, while hinged glass windows are silent. 

While purchasing hunting deer blinds, make sure that you check the safety regulations. Some states require hunters to use high-visibility orange hunting blinds. You can also choose to use blaze orange. Deer eyes are red-green colorblind and can’t distinguish orange as clearly as human eyes can. As a result, blaze orange appears grayish to them.…

My Kitten Experiences in Life

I had the good fortune to grow up on a farm, I didn’t think it was at the time but as I get older I have come to cherish all the opportunities I was exposed to as a child. Things that kids today, living in the big city like my children do, don’t truly understand. Things like the meaning of a hard days work, of being responsible for chores that were more important than just cleaning your room or taking out the trash. I consider myself to be a very hard worker because of the lifestyle when I was growing up, as much as I hated it at the time it still has made me a better person for it.

One of the many events I was lucky enough to witness was the birth of litters of kittens each spring. If you have never been blessed with this, it is a sight to behold. My ‘mother’ cat when I was young was very prompt every spring to make sure I had a litter of kittens to take care of. When it was close to the time for her to give birth I would make sure she had a nice sized box, one that would contain the kittens for a few months, lined it with towels and placed it in a dark, warm place. She was always really good about delivering her babies in that box too.

On the day of the birth I would just peer into the box anxiously waiting to see how many kittens I would get this time. Newborn kittens are so cute with their little tiny ears, little tiny mouths and almost hairless feet and strangely enough their eyes didn’t open until day ten after their birth. I would count down the days until my new babies could see me the way I could see them! Kittens are just so cute, you want to pick them up and never put them down! As you can tell I am definitely a cat person, I connect with cats more so than dogs. There is nothing more satisfying than walking outside and calling for the cats and two dozen of them just come running from all directions, granted you are about to feed them but it is still very cool.

I know everyone now days says you are not supposed to feed your pets anything other than cat food or dog food, when I was feeding all my kittens I used to give them dry milk (of course not dry when I fed it to them) and dry cat food, we used to buy a fifty pound bag which would last a long time, until the dog got into it one day and decided to drag it around the yard, what a mess. In the cold winter months of west central Minnesota I also used to feed the cats cooked oatmeal, they would go crazy for it. I remember more than once going out in the morning before going to school (like I did every day) to take them a pan of freshly cooked oatmeal, I wouldn’t even get the pan to the ground before it was completely covered with cats.

Everyday after school and after my chores were done for the day I would spend all my time with my new playmates. Each kitten is unique and each has a different personality just like people. Some kittens like to climb, some just want to be held and cuddled, some want to fight and horse around and some just want to be left alone. There is nothing more adorable than a bunch of month old kittens playing with each other, that is a memory you never want to forget.…

Pets Can Improve Your Health

Did you know that more than 60% of households have a pet – cats and dogs being the most popular – and that the average lifetime cost of owning a dog today stands at around A�16,900 and for a cat A�17,200?

It’s clear to see that these beloved animals have us firmly wrapped around their furry paws; but is it just a one way street? Do we get something from them in return? Apart from the obvious love, companionship and friendship there are other less obvious benefits that can affect our health.

We have seen many cases where pets have healed people physically, emotionally and mentally. But recently doctors have discovered the amazing fact that cats and dogs can help us not only fight disease but also with the way we cope with chronic conditions. Scientific studies have in fact confirmed what we have felt – our pets have a positive impact on our health.

Let’s see what research has discovered.

1. Far from causing a problem, pets can actually lessen the risk of allergiesand asthma. New studies have actually shown that babies and children, who are raised with a furry friend, will be at less risk of asthma and allergies. Researchers have analyzed blood samples from babies immediately after they have been born and again one year late. They were searching for evidence of immunity changes, reactions to bacteria in the environment and general allergic reaction. The results showed that if a dog lived in the house then the child was less likely to show any evidence of pet allergies. It was also found that they also were less likely to have eczema; add to that the fact that they had much higher levels of some immune system chemicals- which is a sign of stronger immune system.

2. We have seen so many times that pets help to reduce stress that it’s easy to accept this fact even without scientific evidence. However a survey carried out by Mindlab International discovered that a huge 55% of people that they studies were more relaxed after they had spent time with their pets and 44% appeared to be less worried about a specific, identifiable problem. The research team concluded that if we interact with a pet it can profoundly and effectively reduce our stress levels.

3. It’s a fact – cats can actually lower the risk of having a fatal heart attack. Researchers have studied nearly 4,500 adults and discovered that those who owned a cat had a 40% lower risk of having a heart attack that proved fatal. The researchers considered that owning a cat could lower anxiety and stress and so guard against cardiovascular disease – the simple action of stroking your feline friend can actually lower your blood pressure.

4. Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol according to a psychologist from Queen’s University, Belfast. She explained that taking regular walks would partly explain the reason why. You see, just the simple action of taking care of a dog tends to increase physical activity and helps the owner to make social contact with other dog owners. This could improve both physiological and psychological health in the owner.

5. Many doctors now recommend ‘pet prescriptions’ to patients who live alone and who would benefit from companionship. They feel that a pet motivates some patients to exert their best effort when dealing with serious conditions like cancer. Looking after a pet will stimulate them to take good care of themselves too.…

If you’re a cat owner or you want to get a cat in the near future, you’re probably wondering how you can care for it properly. Cats make great pets but they can take a little work to take care of. Read through this article for some solid advice, and this will be something you can do.

Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.

Avoid being kept awake by your cat romping through the house at night. When you first get your kitten, establish a habit of putting it to bed in a comfortable crate with a nice bed, litter box, food and water at night. If you start this early, your cat will appreciate having its own safe, cozy room.

Cats are constantly grooming themselves, and this is why they rarely need a bath. If your cat gets into something particularly stinky, a bath will not hurt them. If your cat does not like water you might want to wear gloves so that you do not get scratched. You might also want to enlist the help of a friend or family member.

Cats and electrical cords don’t mix. If you notice your cat has a habit of chewing on electric cords, try to bundle them up and hide them out of the cat’s reach. If that’s not possible, spray a little bit of bitter apple onto the cords. Not only is bitter apple non-toxic, cats absolutely hate the taste.

Do not assume that because a medication is okay for you to take, that it is safe for your cat as well. Many medications made for humans are lethal to cats, such as acetaminophen containing drugs and aspirin. Always check with your veterinarian before you give your cat anything.

Make sure your cat is not too bored. Cats need stimulation. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. An indoor cat needs a good scratching post.

Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.

Pet

When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.

Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.

Your kitty’s litter box should be strategically placed. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.

Pet Adoption

If you are looking for a new home for your kitty, consider registering with an online pet adoption agency. Some of these companies screen applicants, so you will be sure that your pet is going into a good home. This is better than selling him to a creep who lurks around Craigslist all the time.

As you can see now, it’s not terribly difficult to care for a cat. You just have to be patient and everything will fall into place for you. Take the things that you have learned here and you’ll be well equipped to deal with cats. Enjoy your feline friends and good luck!…

Dogs are among the very best pets around. They can give you love and happiness. The more you know about caring for dogs, the better. To become a truly responsible master to your dog, take a look at the savvy advice presented below.

Keep on top of fleas. Not only can fleas cause infection in your dog, if one is swallowed, your pet can get tapeworms as well. Speak to your veterinarian about the best prevention method, but remember that this is not a one shot deal. You will have to continue your efforts over the life of your pet.

Refrain from making the training sessions with your dogs too long. Extended sessions can make a dog tire out and become bored easily when you are trying to teach them new things. Limit your training sessions to 20-30 minutes, as this will help to keep the full attention of your dog.

Take your dog to the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you don’t need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the road.

Try to always be aware of how your dog is feeling. If your dog seems to be nervous, fearful, or scared of certain things, you should take note of this and try to avoid putting your dog in a stressful situation. When a dog is stressed or afraid, you could traumatize your dog if you insist that it stays in the stressful situation.

Pet-proof your home before bringing a dog into it, just as you would for a crawling toddler. You need to move anything toxic to a higher shelf and consider the danger that plants may pose if nibbled by your dog. Remember that anti-freeze is deadly and that leaving things like pennies or crayons on floors can pose a choking hazard to curious pups.

Don’t force your dog to eat something. If you got them a treat and they aren’t interested in it, don’t make them eat it. It will take you a little while to figure out what your dog likes and what he doesn’t, but you’ll get the hang of it.

If training has become routine and boring with your dog, consider introducing agility exercises into the mix. These will still teach your dog to obey and be challenging, but they tend to be a lot more fun than the regular commands. Get the whole family involved by making an obstacle course and working the dog through it frequently.

Make sure to exercise your dog often. Your dog has to be worked out to stay happy and healthy. Your dog will get the exercise it needs (and you’ll be a little more active yourself!) from virtually any kind of outdoor activity you share with it. This will create a great bond with your dog when performing these activities.

If you are considering owning a dog, keep in mind the size of your home when selecting the breed. Large dogs do not mix well with small apartments unless you have the ability to walk them frequently. They need exercise and room to roam. In this situation, a smaller barred might be the better choice.

Have a rotating schedule for dog-related responsibilities in your home. It’s not fair for one person to always be taking care of him, and he’ll feel more like a family pet if everyone pitches in. Kids often lose interest in a pet and leave the work to parents, but it’s important that you teach them to keep up the commitment!

You need to make sure if your female dog is not fixed and is in heat that she doesn’t come into contact with a male dog so she does not get pregnant. Male dogs can pick up the scent of a female dog in full heat up to five miles away. This causes fights as well as sexual behavior.

Nothing can match the unconditional love of a loyal dog. However, if you really want to have a great relationship with your pet, you have to learn what you can about them. Following these tips will start you on your way to becoming an experienced and knowledgeable dog owner. Don’t hesitate to seek out more good advice that will make you an even better owner for your dog.…

Vintage Prom Dresses: Be A Flapper Girl

The ideal prom dress is the one that makes us feel totally comfortable in ourselves, and yet takes us from the everyday to the truly special. It therefore needs to have an element of theatricaility to it; a magic, transformative feel. We don’t need to pretend that prom is about being a princess for an evening. Frankly, real life princesses get a pretty raw deal. What you’re interested in being is yourself – nothing but your amazing, real self. To find the perfect piece you need to be in tune with what styles and references speak to your personal tastes, in both a practical and aesthetic sense. This means considering whether you are truly comfortable in heels, or what kind of makeup suits you, or how you might style your hair. All of these things come together with your dress and accessories to create an overall look that should tell people something about who you are, and about the awesome night you want to have!

The 1920s Flapper Dress is an inspired style to consider, because it is both classic, and different enough for you to make a style statement. If you want to stand out from the crowds of floor length satin gowns in hot pink and baby blue, the Flapper is for you. It is sophisticated, luxurious and, most importantly, it is absolutely the best style of dress to dance the night away in. Flapper dresses tend to come in two lengths, the mini and the midi: both are practical and stunning, with the options for detail and embellishment limitless.

You’re likely to have seen your fair share of flapper dresses, so you will be familiar with the kinds of detail they tend to feature. Common designs are tasselled, for a hypnotic sway, or encrusted with shimmering beads and sequins for a stunning effect. Both are gorgeous, but for prom – when you want the best photographs possible of your night – shimmer might be the best way to go. A simple silhouette and enchanting detailed design is truly a winning combination that will look incredible in everyone’s images.

Another advantage of going with such a detailed dress is that you can afford to be simple with the accessories. Sequins and studs mean that jewelry can be kept minimal; you can even go with just a hairband or simple cuff. With shoes both heels and flats work, but don’t go too high if you want to retain some of the authenticity of the 1920s style. At the time most women wore flats or kitten heels, both of which you can easily find in a range of colors and styles; you don’t have to sacrifice style for practicality. Go for a clutch in a complementary shade to your dress. This doesn’t mean matching! For example, a dark blue dress will benefit from a grey, silver or purple clutch. Look at the pieces together and if they seem right, go with your instincts. The most important accessory for a Flapper girl is her dazzling smile!…