Horse That Overcame Adversity Attempts Guinness World Record
Lukas, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who stands 16.2 hands, may well be the smartest horse in the country–maybe the world, and owner-trainer Karen Murdock is trying to get him into the Guinness World Records for “Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute.”
On June 16, Lukas was able to identify a correct number at least 18 times.
“The counter said 20, but I think he skimmed two of them,” said Murdock of Southern California. “I don’t know how stringent the Guinness World Records will be. He got between 18-20 correct, which is about average for him.”
Lukas’ journey from broken-down rescue to smartest horse was a long, hard road and can be an inspiration for anyone, Murdock said. “Lukas overcame adversity and that can help our character. It is never too late for any of us.”
He ran three races as a 2-year-old and bowed both front tendons, ending his career. He was found years later filthy and emaciated in a back yard by a woman who took pity on him.
She tried to rehabilitate him for her jumping program-but he was obstinate and dangerous. She sold him to Murdock eight years ago.
“He was a handful,” Murdock said, “but I fell in love with him. Basically, I had to un-train him and use tricks and play to change his attitude and to build a bond with him.”
Lukas has been listed on Yahoo, Google and the World Records Academy as “The World’s Smartest Horse.” He counts, spells, identifies shapes, discriminates colors and grasps the concepts of same/different, proportion and absentness, she said.
To be considered for the Guinness record, he had to point with his nose the correct number from 1 to 5 when Murdock called it out; the call-outs were random and non-sequential.
She was not allowed to praise him, pet him, encourage him or touch him. “The guidelines were specific in that there could be no pointing or touching, no extra words,” she said.
Murdock doesn’t know when Guinness will make its decision, but she is happy that the record-keepers are even considering Lukas. Until now, animal records have had to do with the physical attributes – tallest, shortest, longest tail, etc.
Considering an animal’s cognitive abilities is new.
“This is the first time that Guinness has ever allowed such an activity,” she said. “I’m just glad that people are willing to look at animals in a different light.”
This article is from http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=16545
Written by: Marie Rosenthal, MS
Animal Safety to Keep You Pet Cool
Dogs in hot cars face an immediate crisis that is entirely preventable,” Alexis Raymond, Communications Director of the national non-profit, told Zootoo Pet News. “By educating pet owners and others that leaving a dog in the car when the weather is even mildly warm, we hope to save many animals from suffering and dying.
Download your reminder and share with others. I found these 2 posters on
http://www.mydogiscool.com/downloads/HotCar-Store-Sign.pdf
http://www.mydogiscool.com/downloads/MDIC_poster_8×11.pdf
This post is all about being aware of who you carry in the car with you. I know my dog, Baby, discovered she loves taking car rides now. So every time I pick up my car keys she is dancing around. I would love to take her everywhere I go but I also have to keep in mind that I may not be able to take her in the various companies that I have to visit. It is for their safety not our companionship that should be taken into account.
Another part of the safety issue is leaving their dog leash on them unattended. There is always a possiblity of it getting caught in the seat or over the headrest. This creates a whole new problem for your pet. Just please be aware of any and all dangers.
So I am asking you to please think before you accidently do something to harm the health and safety of your pet.
Recovering From the Loss of a Pet
Do You Have to Leave Your Pet at Home
1. Please Don’t Go! Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, leaving the house can be just as stressful for you as it is for him. No one likes to see a beloved pet upset—plus, any time away from home might be spent worrying what kind of mess awaits your return. Will your pooch tear up the sofa? Chew the walls? Pee on the carpet? Shake, drool and bark for hours?
Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Don’t wait any longer: take control of your dog’s happiness—and your own—just in time for summer travel season. Follow the advice of ASPCA animal behaviorists, and next time you drop off Fido at a friend’s house or the boarding kennel, you’ll feel sweet relief knowing that you miss him more than he misses you.
- Doctor Knows Best
The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s behavior. For example, if your pet is urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease. - Keep It Mellow
All greetings—hellos and goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed. - Dogs Need Jobs
Providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left alone!
Visit the Dog Care section of our website to read our complete guide to tackling separation anxiety.
Maintaining Canine Health
If you care enough about your dog, you must learn how to take care of him properly. Aside from the necessities like food, water, and shelter that you need to provide, dog health is one important aspect that every dog owner should be very knowledgeable on. After all, pets need more than love to be happy and healthy. Know what important dog care products you should buy that are ideal for your dog’s specific needs.
When buying dog care products, keep these tips in mind:
~Ask your vet; he’s the best person to get advice from when it comes to suggesting good pet products
~Read consumer reviews before shelling out any money
~Bring your dog along to pet stores when choosing health care supplies. He might even choose his toys and treats himself
~Research the climate in your area and how it can affect your pet’s health
~Learn more about your dog’s breed, their common problems and particular needs
~Know your dog’s size and weight well so it would be easy when buying items like dog leads, collars and carriers
Surprise in a Stroller
My work schedule is such that it’s not always possible to stop and chat with old friends; still, I try to make the effort. A short while ago I was walking down a busy street on the way to catch a train when an old sorority sister hailed me from across the street. I was intrigued to see her wheeling a stroller. Were we so out of touch now that I didn’t know this woman had a baby?
Much to my surprise, a wet, black nose protruded from inside the carriage. My friend was taking her Chihuahua for a stroll down the street. At first I had to question why she couldn’t just let the dog walk alongside. After a while it began to make sense, however: Small dogs have a hard time keeping up with a brisk human gait. Lately I’ve even been thinking about finding a dog stroller to suit my Jack Russell terrier.
Dog Fur Clean Up
Your hair and pet’s fur is needed to help clean Gulf oil spill
Read the entire story http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/05/06/oil.spill.pet.hair/index.html
73 Horses Seized in Upstate New York—ASPCA Reports From the Scene
I truly do not understand the concept of owning animals but not taking care of them.
On March 16, under the authority and request of the SPCA Serving Erie County (NY) members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team were dispatched to assist in the sheltering management and care of 73 horses seized from what is believed to be the area’s largest farm animal rescue ever. The animals were found living in deplorable and extremely unsanitary conditions on a farm in East Aurora, NY (about 20 miles southeast of Buffalo).
Jeff Eyre, the Northeast Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, was sent to the scene with other ASPCA staff skilled in horse handling. Over the past eight weeks, the group has played a vital role in helping to feed, water and clean the animals. More importantly, the team has spent time nurturing the horses, helping them to rebuild their broken spirits. On April 30, the mission came to a close, as the remaining horses were transported to new foster homes.
“Our on-site response is complete,” says Jeff. “We achieved our goal to rehabilitate these horses, both physically and behaviorally. These are now happy horses, and I could not have asked for a better ending.”
Read the full report here:
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/aspca-in-action/73-horses-seized-in-upstate-new-york.html
Saddles-Old versus New
I don’t know about you but when I grew up the saddles were completely leather the saddle pads were very simple and not decorative. Plain Jane type tack and saddle, snaffle versus straight bit. Of course you had to take care of what you had but everything seemed so much simpler when it came to choices.
Now you have still have the leather saddles but also saddles that are made of synthetic materials or a combination of the two.
A lot of what you purchase will also depend on how you ride.
Obviously good materials and good quality are essential in all gear. But has anyone tried both? There are pros and cons to all types and it can get confusing and costly for a beginner to figure it out.
In conducting minor research on the different models I found that
Synthetic is:
Lightweight
Easy to keep clean
Sometimes less expensive
Durable
Leather
Deeper seat
Heavier
Care needed
Durable if cared for
Your thoughts?
Paws for Consideration
Just because dogs lack the capability to design and manufacturer clothing and footwear doesn’t mean that they won’t appreciate a practical clothing item. Even the most devout dog lover may not realize that paw pads can be rather delicate. They should be protected from concrete in hot weather, and in inclement weather, dog boots are not a bad idea for Fido’s comfort.
In harsh conditions, dog shoes are essential to protect the padding on your dog’s feet. The shoes will also help to keep your pets・feet warm in frigid weather, and vice-versa. Not only do the shoes serve pragmatic purposes, but they also are a definitive fashion statement.