Spring is in full swing and Rainbow is swinging right along! With more of us home, there has been a lot of interest in sprucing up the garden, fixing up the barnyard, and making our own “great outdoors” a little greater. With these late rains, now is the time to attack the mosquito population (before they attack us and our horses!) Dump out standing water in buckets and tubs – a tiny bit of water can be a breeding ground for thousands of mosquitoes. Cutting down tall grass and weeds and clearing ditches can help reduce the mosquito population, and don’t forget the 
Spartan Mosquito Eradicators! Hang them up and let them do the work for up to 3 months. Perfect for around your yard and barn. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus to both horses and humans, so protect all of your loved ones with a mosquito eradication plan.
While we are planning – don’t forget that wildfire season is coming up next! Now is a good time to make an evacuation plan for your horses, and to prepare supplies and equipment that you might need in an emergency. Check out HALTER Project’s webpage Make A Plan for tips, information and downloadable lists. If your horse is a reluctant trailer loader, now might be a good time for some calm, non-emergency loading practice. Imagine the stress of trying to load up your horses with a wall of flames approaching! That is not the time to do any training. Organize equipment and any paperwork – vet records, copies of papers, special medications or feeds – and have them handy to toss into the truck in the case of an emergency. Make sure there is a halter and sturdy lead rope for each horse, and a way to identify them in case they are rescued by someone else. There are several systems for attaching permanent ID to your horse’s mane or halter – ask one of Rainbow’s friends staff for recommendations.
One of the most important aspects of preparing for Wildfire season is clearing a 100 foot defensible space around your home and outbuildings. A one-acre dry lot can be a lifesaver, if you can not move your horse to escape a fire. Fences should be in good repair, and your address clearly marked on your driveway. There are some great spring deals on the Outdoor Power Equipment that makes these chores easier. Save on a Stihl MS170 Chain Saw, on sale now for only $159.95, or check out the complete line of riding mowers, now in stock! Rainbow also has blowers, string trimmers and brushcutters for every size job. Shop Stihl online at https://rainbowag.stihldealer.net/, or give OPE Specialist Thomas Prine a call at his direct line 707-234-4297 or email TPrine@RainbowAg.com. Order and pay over the phone, and pick up your new equipment curbside!
Purina documentary series – Full Rein
Hit the road with Purina’s team of Ph.D. experts in “Full Rein,” a new documentary series of short films and podcasts featuring unique jobs of horses across America, and the science that feeds some of the country’s hardest working equines, from mountain guides to the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Pro Choice Comfort Fit Fly Masks fit a wide variety of horses perfectly!
New in Rainbow stores: Professional’s Choice Comfort Fit Lycra Fly Masks! Designed with your horse’s comfort in mind! Smooth, stretchy lycra with binding around the edges fits your horse’s face like a glove. Mesh around the eyes and ears allows for clear vision and keeps flies and bugs away. The stretchy Lycra fabric fits a wide variety of sizes, without gaps or rub-points.In Horse and Cob sizes. In stock at Rainbow Lakeport, coming soon to Ukiah and Middletown!
Trivia: Last month, we asked what brings a smile to every horseperson’s face? Well, seeing a new foal, of course! Our winner is Yvonne Coyne, who gets a $15.00 Rainbow Gift Card!
This month’s Trivia Question is, What is the Purina Documentary Series Full Rein about? Enter Here!