Horse people know the difference between a green prospect and a finished performer, and thats a great mindset to adopt if youre thinking about welcoming your first electric workhorse into the barn: an electric pickup truck.Motor Trend had Farm Sanctuary test out the Rivian R1T in real world scenarios, such as hooking up trailers and loading hay into the truck bed for feeding time. Photo courtesy Motor TrendEV Foundation SiresGood performance horses often carry lineages that back up promises of future excellence. Ditto for electric vehicles (EVs). Albeit not as romantic as a Byerly Turk or Godolphin Barb, these foundation sires began taking their first wobbly steps in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with a limited number of electric pickup trucks produced by Chevrolet (the S-10 Electric) and Ford (the Ranger EV).Since 2009, more have been joining the electric conversion conversation. The 2010s saw Phoenix Motorcars introduce a test fleet of all-electric SUTs (Sports Utility Trucks). Miles Electric Vehicles began importing a small Chinese electric pickup, the ZX40ST, and Canadian-based Ecotuned offered an all-electric conversion of the Ford F-150 for use by Hydro Quebec and Montreal Airport.Not Just a ProspectFast forward to January 2023, and Robert Duffer, senior editor at TheCarConnection.com, said, Electric pickup trucks are no longer a prospect: They are a reality. And theyre exceptional.Take the Ford F-150 Lightning. Exhibiting the same fine breeding as its bestselling forbearer, the Ford F-150, this EV pickup truck was named overall Car Connection Best Car To Buy 2023, saying the Lightnings are not just great trucks, theyre evolutionary vehicles.The electric Ford F-150 Lightning was named overall Car Connection Best Car To Buy 2023. Photo from ford.comThis season, roughly half a dozen American-made electric pickup trucks are for sale or under development. But like young racehorses at an elite auction, a buyers investment can be considerable.The work truck that became the family truck can now double as a mobile boardroom and, commensurate with that evolution, J.D. Power says the price of pickups has increased about 3 percent a year since 2009.Gas-powered pickups account for nearly 20 percent of all new-vehicle sales, with consumers paying an average of $60,000 for a new truck in 2022.Automakers have promised a $40,000 electric truck, but no one has yet to deliver one, says Duffer. In the first year of sales, the F-150 Lightning experienced three price hikes, amounting to a 40 percent increase as of December 2022.If this leaves some feeling financially over-horsed, there are options. A 2023 federal EV tax credit of $7,500 can be applied to new EV and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV) trucks and SUVs costing less than $80,000 whose final assembly is in North America (see IRS.govs Credits for New Clean Vehicles).The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV is touted with a very attractive $39,900 base price. Photo from chevrolet.comEVs listing for under $80,000 include the Ford F-150 Lightning (starting at $57,869) and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV ($39,900 base price), which shares an Ultium battery platform with the pricier ($86,245 EV2 base) GMC Hummer EV.The futuristic stainless steel Tesla Cybertruck, hyped to offer a 500-mile range and tow capacity up to 14,000 pounds. Photo from tesla.com/cybertruckTwo dark horses whose price and delivery are TBD are the Ram 1500 EV Revolution, aka Ram Rev around the barn, from Stellantix (nee Fiat Chrysler), and the mysterious stainless steel, wedge-shaped Tesla Cybertruck, hyped to offer a 500-mile range and tow capacity up to 14,000 pounds.The Ram 1500 EV Revolution, aka the Ram Rev, is expected in late 2024. Photo from ramtrucks.comAmong proven bloodlines stands a fierce little surprise talent that has been handily winning accolades, including the highest overall satisfaction ranking of any vehicle in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study, plus 2023 Car Connection Best Luxury Car to Buy, and 2022 MotorTrend Truck of the Year and Motor Authority Best Car to Buy.Dont let fancy introductions fool you. This EV is a proven workhorse. Meet the Rivian R1T, the performance prospect that everyone will be talking about.California-based Rivian made the motor industry sit up and take notice in 2022 with the R1T, the first available battery electric pickup truck. Photo courtesy Motor TrendRivian to the RescueCalifornia-based Rivian made the motor industry sit up and take notice in 2022 with the R1T ($74,800-$98,800), the first available battery electric pickup truck. The Standard (135-kwh) all-wheel drive has about 260 miles of range per full charge; the popular mid-range (135-kwh) has about 328 miles, and the Max (180-kwh) pack quad-motor R1T has a 400-mile range.By rethinking how a pickup truck can be built, how it can be propelled, how it can drive, how its spaces might be used, how we could interact with it, and to expand its target demographic, Rivian has forced the industry and market to reassess expectations, wrote MotorTrend reviewers. The R1T is not just an intellectual exercise; it is at its core a good truck by traditional definitions, too.Including quietly going where few have gone before: to a real farm, to do real chores.In this case, to Farm Sanctuary, whose Los Angeles, Calif., and Watkins Glen, N.Y., locations have been havens of peace for rescued farm animals and retired horses for decades.Christopher Kokotajlo, HR coordinator for Farm Sanctuary, was working as an environmental caregiver when MotorTrend contacted their organization in 2018 about testing four mid-size trucks. That test ride went well enough to earn a callback.[MotorTrend] loved our mission and had such a great experience collaborating with us that they wanted to do it again, says Kokotajlo. Would Farm Sanctuary be interested in testing out an EV truck?They wanted to test the Rivian in real-world scenarios, he says. We let them know the kinds of tasks we routinely do, like loading hay to feed, hooking up trailers, et cetera. Farm Sanctuary uses large trucks to haul feed, equipment, and material, as well as large trailers when we need to perform rescues or transport larger animals.Theyre always looking to improve transportation. Kokotajlo says the FS Environment team would kid about getting an electric truck for both the cool factor and doing good for the environment factor.The truck was a hit.It looked sleek and futuristic while maintaining a truck look, says Kokotajlo. It was silent while driving, which was great. We have a blind sheep named Biscuit who gets startled when we run heavy machinery, but he was very calm when we were driving by.The farms senior rescue horses, Darla, Joanna and Zoe, also tend to spook if a truck unexpectedly rumbles by, so for them, the EV silence was golden.Based on Joannas injuries, we speculate she was used for horse tripping at an illegal rodeo, but once you earn her trust, shes a sweetheart, says Kokotajlo. Joannas companion, Zoe, loves her hay and isnt afraid to let you know! As will Darla, a malnourished surrender whos now the feisty queen of the paddock.When the Rivian drove by, They stayed peacefully eating their hay.Inside, the trucks cab was spacious.It fit five people easily, which means two can fit with plenty of space for tools and equipment, says Kokotajlo. Theres extra storage, like the frunk (front trunk), and more space than usual between the bed and cab. The bed had a durable liner and cover that could lock to protect valuables.There was plenty of room to stack feed in the back and, when pulling the trailer, even as a passenger you couldnt feel the truck working hard. It gripped the ground and maintained traction, making for safe handling on rocky or sandy terrain. Lastly, the truck was easy to hook up. It has hydraulic suspension that allowed for more flexibility in lowering the hitch onto the ball.EV at WorkMotorTrend wanted them to ask the R1T to perform two tasks Farm Sanctuary would otherwise have used traditional trucks for:1. Hooking up a horse trailer and backing it into a pen.2. Loading up the bed with hay to feed.The truck performed very well for these tasks, and I had no complaints, says Kokotajlo. Another bonus was, when running into town for errands, we wouldnt be using gas and would be able to come home and plug it in rather than refuel. In the long run, Kokotajlo feels that would save Farm Sanctuary money.To test loading the bed with hay, they used the farms standard three-string bales, which measure 16x22x44 anddepending on the type of hay or strawweigh in at 50-100 pounds each.We fit five or six bales but, with careful planning, and using rope to tie it down, we could have stacked 10 to 12, says Kokotajlo. We have a hoop house where we store our hay (alfalfa, barley, orchard, timothy), which is fed to our cows, horses, goats and sheep. We also load up a trailer to bring out to the feeders along the back part of our property.Thats not to say that some aspects of the electric workhorses performance didnt raise more questions than they answered.We make long drives with animals in the back, sometimes to emergencies where we cant spend 30 to 60 minutes charging, he says. Im curious about how the range alters when pulling a 20-foot trailer with a few large animals in back. MotorTrend was not able to speak to this, and I believe this [could be] a limiting factor to using an electric truck.The other thing I would love to see is the ability to install a gooseneck. I know many folks prefer goosenecks and there is not an option for this yet. [Goosenecks] are great for turn radius and tack areas that do not significantly reduce trailer space.Also, the towing capacity is stated as 11,000 pounds, which is toward the lower end of most of our trucks. This might not be an issue, depending on [your needs].Feeding the EVJust how easy did Farm Sanctuarywith real mouths to feedfind recharging an electric workhorse?There have been anecdotal complaints from EV owners regarding the unreliable state of too many of the 40,000+ public charging stations and 100,000 outlets in the U.S., such as broken chargers and screens, wonky software, et cetera.J.D. Power surveyed more than 11,500 EV and plug-in hybrid owners in its 2022 Electric Vehicle Experience Public Charging Study and concluded, despite big growth in the number of public chargers, EV owners felt the overall experience still sucks.Most owners do their charging overnight while parked at home, the study concluded, but if EVs are to become a more attractive option to buyers, charging stations will need to be become more pervasive and reliable, like gas stations.Farm Sanctuary found the EV truck could be charged three ways: by Level 1 charging at home (a standard 120-volt household outlet); Level 2 charging at public stations (208- to 240-voltLevel 2 can also be installed in households by an electrician, just like an extra dryer plug); and Level 3 DC Fast Charge and Supercharging (400- to 900-volt), currently only available at specialized public charging stations.We tried [Level 1] to show that you can take an extension cord from your house, add an adaptor that comes with the truck, and plug your truck in, says Kokotajlo. At a recharge rate of about 3 to 5 miles an hour, this is the slowest method.But if you use this overnight, it can charge 24 to 40 miles in eight hours. Thats a perfect [option] if youre not using the truck for long trips.Level 2 charging will become more accessible as the 10,000 Rivian Waypoint chargers proposed in the U.S. and Canada become available near hotels, parks and commercial centers. As should super-fast Level 3 stations, with charging rates of 3 to 20 miles per minute.Its a little bit of a learning curve, Kokotajlo says about the care and feeding of the EV workhorse, but once you understand the differences, it felt intuitive. It was like plugging in your toaster.Comfort ZonesFeel is important in good horsemanship, and this EV wasnt Kokotajlos first rodeo.I have personal experience driving EVs, he says. The direct handling of the R1T was limited to the MotorTrend team. [But] when we drove around the Sanctuary, the first thing I noticed was how silent it is. We had the windows down and I could hear the gravel crunch.There was a bit of a learning curve. It wasnt so much the acceleration, which is fast and smooth, but the regenerative braking, which felt similar to downshifting, but not as planned as driving with a stick. After learning what it does, it was nice to have the vehicle help with the braking while also capturing the energy. In regenerative braking, every time you lighten your foot off the accelerator pedal, the car feels like its applying a light brake, and captures the energy to boost the batterys charge.He also found the dashboard intuitive.It felt like a large tablet. It was a bit weird, not seeing A/C buttons and dials but, after learning where everything was, it made sense. You can control everything from the screen.Another cool feature is that the truck can be updated. If there is software that changes how it handles regenerative braking to make it more efficient, you dont have to go to a shop to activate it. You hook your EV to Wi-Fi and it updates itself. This is a cool concept as the truck can improve without you having to invest in new parts or technology.Ready to Saddle Up?Prospects versus proven performers start with finding the right partner for the job. Is the EV ready to go to work in every equestrian facility? Maybe not yet, but Farm Sanctuary sees that the potential is out there.The truck itself is very high quality, which was noted in the finishes, the thoughtful features, and performance. For how Farm Sanctuary uses trucks, I think a Rivian EV would handle the workload.But despite a desire to advocate full force for the truck, Kokotajlo has reservations.I wish we could have tested some main concerns, the primary one being range when hauling. While not confirmed, Ive heard there can be up to 50 percent reduction in range when hauling, depending on load and terrain. This might or might not be a dealbreaker for some folks. For shorter trips, this would be fine, but for larger or emergency trips, it would not.Lastly, for the price and what the truck can do, Im uncertain on the ROI [return on investment]. But if a few things get ironed out, this truck will be a no-brainer purchase.Overall, the EV pickup truck is probably still a long yearling for most horse facilities, but in a few years, theyll be finished performers.Further Reading Choosing a Vehicle to Tow Your Horse Trailer Selecting a Horse Trailer to Fit Your NeedsThis article about electric pickup trucks appeared in the June 2023 issue of Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Electric Pickup Trucks: Can They Haul? appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Vegetable- and marine-based sources can provide your horse with essential omega-3 fatty acids. Consider these factors when choosing an omega-3 supplement for your horse.The post Which Omega-3 Sources are Best for My Horse? appeared first on The Horse.

Poison ivy and I go way back. But, they dont go further back than my horses. I never truly experienced poison ivy until I got horses. The poison ivy problem started with them, and they have been forever linked.Its completely possible this is entirely a me problem. In fact, anyone that Ive ever told this too has never experienced it. I seem to be the sole victim of this.I am speaking, of course, of horse induced poison ivy. Yes, I get it from my horses.It started back when I was but a wee lass, with my horses in my parents backyard. (their backyard was 15 acres, you know the typical American property). We had several pastures the first, was basically in our immediate backyard, and it was simple grass, just like youd expect a yard to look. The second was in the back five. The poison ivy troubles started when we moved the horses there.That field was a bit more wild. It was further away, separated from the first pasture by woods and a stream. With the distance we had to walk to get there, it felt like a completely different world. So we felt that it was pretty normal that it was a bit weedy compared to our original field.I would visit my horses, as one does, and then Id be covered in poison ivy. It was all over my ankles, my own fault for walking through it I suppose, but then also, all over my arms. I wasnt rolling in the poison ivy. I was only sticking my feet in, and I was wearing boots, but I assume it got all over my pants and boots and then made its way to my ankles. Made sense, and maybe if I tried a little harder I could avoid the poison ivy.But the arm poison ivy was a different story. The arm poison ivy was unavoidable. It was coming from the most adorable of sources my horses muzzles. Yes, those adorable little snoots were giving me massive poison ivy outbreaks. They would eat around the poison ivy, but their muzzles would touch the plant, putting the oils on their noses. Ive learned that horses dont care about poison ivy, they have no reaction to it. They sometimes even eat it (more on that coming up!). It doesnt effect them all all.But that oil sticks to their noses. And it stays active for a very long time.The best solution I had then, and really now too, is poison ivy soap. Regular soap does not get the sap off. That stuff is like glue or something, I dont know. (yes, thats a Futurama reference). So use poison ivy soap as soon as possible after exposure. That will limit the spread and help you get over it faster.Poison Ivy SoapRemoves the oils that cause poison ivy rash and helps relieves itching.buy on amazon(contains affiliate link)Poison Ivy Soap Bar | All Natural Poison Ivy Treatment | Anti-Itch Skin Cleanser Bar Wash for Poison Ivy, Poison Oak & Sumac | Soothes & Relieves Rashes | 2.9 Ounces | Maries OriginalEven though the soap helped, its tough to stop working with a horse to go wash yourself off immediately. Which is why I basically accepted that my summers were poison ivy hellscapes, with some fun rides thrown in. Eventually, we all moved on, and I figured that was the end of my poison ivy nightmare, after all, how many more pastures can there be with the horrible amount of poison ivy that my parents nurtured?When I first brought my horses to my current home, I had to find a source for hay. Finding a good hay source is one of the most annoying and vital tasks required of those keeping their horses at home. Therefore I went with the easy source of my parents farm.They still had their property, but with the absence of farm animals, they had someone cutting hay on their land. Despite the incredible disadvantage of them being over an hour away, the hay not being that cheap anyway, and having to manually pick up the hay from the field, I missed one huge disadvantage. In fact, I didnt discover this until I had done a huge amount of work bringing the hay to my farm.The hay was filled with poison ivy. But surely since its now in hay form, its okay right? Not at all. It still had its oil, and that oil made its way through my winter clothes and imbedded on to my skin.Not using it was not an option to me. I had put in all that effort manually picking up every hay bale off the field, moving it to a shed, putting it in my truck, driving it, unloading it, and stacking it, and paying for the privilege, that I was going to use the dang hay.It was the winter of misery. It may go without saying, but I never got hay off my parents farm again.The offending plantAfter that experience, I had years of being poison ivy free. My field had none growing, and my hay supplier didnt have any in their hay. It was a blissful existence, one that I can see now that I didnt appreciate nearly enough. For you see, the poison ivy is back.It started when I moved Stu to his current barn. One day, while walking the field, I spotted the horrible plant. I spent the rest of the day telling everyone I saw at the barn how absolutely horrible poison ivy is, and how my horses used to give it to me. Everyone else seemed surprised, as this had never happened to them. I took that as a positive sign, maybe the field is so big that the horses completely avoid it.But alas, once again I am stricken with it. It runs up and down my arms. It seems that Im either highly allergic to it, or just the most unlucky rider whose horses love to indulge in a bit of the herb. I really dont know which it is, because just like everyone said when I first brought this up, I am the only person at my barn covered in poison ivy. This literally seems to only happen to me.Luckily I have advanced a bit since my youth, as I did get prescription strength medicine for poison ivy. I had no idea it existed until my husband went to the doctor for his poison ivy from our poisoned hay winter. I didnt even realize going to the doctor was an option, I thought one just endured the rash until it finally faded away. But no, you can actually get medicine for it, its called Clobetasol.Since this seems to be a me problem, Ive decided Im bringing poison ivy soap to the barn, and Im going to live in long sleeve shirts. Doesnt matter the weather, Im taking no chances. Maybe gloves full time, too. In fact, Ill just go full hazmat suit to make sure Im safe. Itll be good desensitizing for the horses, too!Anyone else suffering from the poison ivy problem?The post Horses and Poison Ivy appeared first on An Equestrian Life.

Schooling your horse is fundamental to a happy, confident relationship, whether you choose to compete or solely hack, writes Emily Bevan.Ensuring that your horse has goodfundamental training and can performbasic lateral movements such asleg-yield and shoulder-in will proveadvantageous not just in a dressagetest, but also when hacking or beingridden in a field as you work towards your #Hack1000Miles target.To be safe out hacking horses need tohave balance, be able to perform decenttransitions, listen to the leg and acceptthe contact, says international eventrider Vittoria Panizzon. If a car iscoming, you dont want your horsespinning into the road or not stoppingand ploughing through the bridle at ajunction.International showjumper YazminPinchen adds: You may need to turn intight areas or go through gates, and soyou need your horse to move away fromyour leg correctly.If any of my horses spook atsomething ahead I flex their head in theopposite direction and use my leg tokeep them looking away from whatthey are spooking at. Its helpful to beable to negotiate a situation usingdifferent flatwork aids.Flatwork is basic, and so if it is ignoredthen problems out hacking will inevitably occur in oneform or another.More pleasurable to rideTraining your horse doesnt need to becomplicated, stressful or difficult, and itdoesnt need to take place in an arena.Incorporating simple exercises when youare out hacking or riding in the field canhave a big impact on your horsesbalance, obedience and way of going,and make him more pleasurable to ride.When Im out hacking, I ensure myhorses are in free walk so they are activebut have length of neck, and I do atransition every time I get to a junction,so they have to collect and listen to theseat and leg, explains Vittoria.I am constantly teaching them togo correctly so I have better controland their brain is focused. Because Ihack constructively some horses mayonly need to school once a week in thearena or field.Hacking or riding in a field can be agood opportunity to practise schoolingmovements as the horse is thinkingforward, between the hand and leg, andgoing in a straight line. It is also a lesspressured environment than an arena.Fellow of the British Horse Society andBritish Eventing accredited coach, SamYork, advises: Use lamp posts or trees outriding as transition markers. Halt whenyou get to one, count to 10 and then moveon. Take what you have learnt in theschool outside and be creative.Further readingBored of round the block? Four ways to find new hacking routesWhy wearing the colour red could play a part in safer hacking10 tips for training your horse to open gates out hackingThe post Why schooling is fundamental to a confident relationship so you both enjoy hacking appeared first on Your Horse.

Vets recommend a whole-facility-focused approach to parasite control, but what do you do when you don't manage the farm?The post Parasite Control Recommendations for Boarded Horses appeared first on The Horse.

Michael Blake has named his five-member squad for The Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup of Ireland for the Aga Khan Trophy. Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Director Blake has selected his quintet, from which four will line up, for next Fridays Dublin Horse Show highlight with hopes high for another strong showing to continue what has been a fantastic season to date. Irish senior show jumping teams, sponsored by The Underwriting Exchange, have reached double figures for podium finishes in 2024, winning at the highest level most recently in Aachen, as well as a Longines League of Nations success in Ocala earlier in the year. They will bid to regain the Aga Khan trophy, having last won it in 2022 and finishing runners-up last year. The squad selected, in alphabetical order, is Daniel Coyle (Co. Derry), Darragh Kenny (Co. Offaly), Denis Lynch (Co. Tipperary), Mark McAuley (Co. Louth) and []