On The Right Lead January 2021


The Days Are Getting Longer …

And horsemen are looking forward more daylight time in the evenings to spend time with our horses, but we still have to get through a couple of dark months. Cold, damp, rainy weather can make caring for our horses a challenge – blanket or no blanket? How much extra feed? Rain rot? Pull the shoes, or leave them on? A lot of decisions and many of us are not even riding! See below for some articles to help us make these decisions!

One thing we can be sure of – Rainbow will have what you need for your horses and everything else around your property! Going on NOW – our annual Clearance Sale. Check out a great selection of savings on winter clothing and boots, gift items and home decor. Go out to feed in a warm and waterproof Carhartt sweatshirt, slog through the puddles in some cozy neoprene boots, or keep your hands and feet warm with Carhartt winter socks and gloves. Check out the clearance racks next time you are in Rainbow!


It’s winter, it’s muddy, your horse is just standing around … do you leave the shoes on, or have them pulled? For most horses on pasture, being barefoot makes hoof-care easier in the winter. Snow and mud can pack – sometimes very hard! – into the hoof and actually make walking difficult for the horse. The packed mud seals out air and keeps the hoof moist, which can create problems with bacteria such as thrush. Cleaning the hooves regularly and applying a drying solution such as Absorbine Hooflex Thrush Remedy, along with providing a dry place for horses to stand, will help keep your horses’ hooves healthy and ready for spring! For more snow and mud hoof care tips, check out this Winter Horse Hoof Care article, courtesy of Horse & Rider magazine.

Horses in the snow

If you’re wondering, “Do horses get cold in the winter?” the answer is yes. However, even horses in cold climates can fare quite well during the winter months. With proper diets, exercise and access to appropriate water and shelter, they will make it through comfortably and be ready to get back to work when the weather allows. Check out this article from Purina, about Caring for Horses in Wintertime.


Rodents in our barns and outbuildings can damage feed, equipment and create health hazards. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), rodents destroy more than $2 billion in feed every year! Get tips for controlling rodent populations on your property in this article, Give Rodents the Boot, from Farnam.


When we own property, there is always something that needs doing! We go from Fall clean up – blowing leaves, clearing brush, cutting firewood – into Winter maintenance such as dealing with fallen limbs, flooding culverts, and power outages. Follow that right up with staying ahead of the weeds and pruning, and it will be time to prepare our gardens before we know it! We need Outdoor Power Equipment. Rainbow has a huge selection in stock and the knowledgeable staff to help you select exactly the right equipment for your job. Come in to the Middletown, Lakeport or Ukiah Rainbow stores to talk to one of our OPE specialist, or give us a phone call and we will have your equipment primed and ready to load in your vehicle! Don’t forget that the Rainbow Service Department can get your equipment tuned up and running like new, just in time for those downed limbs or power outages. (Tip: Generators need regular service, to keep them ready when needed. Call the service department for more information.)


Trivia! You can win a $15.00 Rainbow Gift Card! Just send your answer to the Trivia question (Hint: the answers are in each newsletter) and all correct entries are included in a random drawing.

The December question was, what outdoor temperature is ideal for horses? Marilyn Tannar is the winner with the correct answer that horses are happiest at temperatures between 18 and 59 Degrees Fahrenheit.

The first question for the New Year is, according to the USDA, how much feed in the US is destroyed by rodents every year?

ENTER HERE!

Happy New Year from Rainbow, America’s Country Store!

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