Horses have always been majestic creatures. But despite this, every single breed of horses has something that makes their personalities shine. Whether calm, playful, or temperamental, horses have shown that even when they seem majestic at first glance, they’re still perfectly capable of expressing their wants and needs. Thus, it’s up to you as an equestrian or hostler to provide them.

Naturally, food is essential since horses are living beings. And you will require much of it considering the size of fully grown adult horses, except for those miniature ones. They also have one of the most sensitive digestive systems in the animal kingdom. If anything changes from their usual diet, they may not take it well or not eat at all unless you take specific measures. So, you have to choose between a comparison of grass hays carefully.   

Why You Need To Consider Your Horses’ Needs

Besides coaxing them to go back to work, ensuring they’ll perform at their peak is crucial for many equestrians, especially those who own racehorses. Because although training teaches horses what to do at a contest, their health condition before the ‘big event’ can easily affect them and even compromise their performance. One factor that affects horses the most is their feeding.

As you already know, horses are herbivores, which means their diet mainly consists of plants. However, as mentioned earlier, horses are picky with their food despite their size. Unfortunately, considering they consume plants, many issues can contribute to their shortage, particularly weather problems and droughts. Since hay takes up a significant portion of their diet, you’re bound to encounter a problem regarding supply. Therefore, you must prepare for once that happens. For that reason, below are some factors you may consider for your horse when facing hay shortages:

1. Know Your Horse

Like with people, you can’t feed your horse without knowing their conditions. After all, if people have allergies and other health-related problems, so does your horse. Therefore, familiarizing yourself with them as their equestrian should be a no-brainer. You must know their health status and needs so you may provide them with a plan B diet when there is a hay shortage.

Generally, horses are creatures who often lead an active lifestyle, especially ones used for events such as racehorses. Since it’s their nature to graze in the wilderness, that behavior will also bleed into domesticated horses. But as their owner, their grazing and roaming might be limited depending on your land. And with hay shortages, planning for the food they eat may even be more difficult. Luckily you can explore other food options that are good for your horse as long as you know their needs.

• Choose Which Hay

Although more factors are involved (such as age, breed, and health condition), the horse’s activity alone already tells much about which hay you should feed them in case of a hay shortage. Because if you’re still new to being an equestrian, there are two categories of hay available: grasses and legumes.

Alfalfa hay, a type of legume, is a good source of fiber and protein, making it ideal for active horses, especially racehorses. However, because of how rich it is in nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, it could skew a young horse’s nutritional balance and result in deficiencies. If that’s the case, you might consider choosing types of grass hay instead.

• Prevent Waste

Since you’re already experiencing a hay shortage, you must learn to make every strand of hay count. Since horses don’t possess table manners while eating, they naturally leave hay all over their pen as they chew outside their feeder. Now that they’re all over the floor, they leave their scattered food open to get stomped on, even having the horse take a dump on them.

Encourage your horse to eat inside the feeder by investing in slow feeders. This way, the loss of hay can be reduced. Aside from teaching them new eating habits, always be mindful of where you’re storing hay. Since they’re plants, it’s much easier to transmit mold onto them, especially if you leave them in a moist environment. And as you may already know, mold targets the victim’s respiratory system, and horses are no exception.

• Invest In A Hay Barn

With weather conditions getting unpredictable and prices hiking up, it’s safe to say that buying hay for your horse might be a lot more trouble. Therefore, purchasing hay in bulk while you still can is best. But leaving them exposed for too long leaves them open for mold to set in. Invest in a storage building where you can hold your hay bales. Ensure it’s dry and well-ventilated to avoid losing more of your supplies.

Takeaway

Like any animal companion, horses can be challenging and demanding to take care of; it is like caring for your child, after all. Ensuring they live a fulfilling life is in your hands. Even creatures as big as horses still have their own specific needs. Since you’re the only person they can count on, you must be prepared for any situation, especially if they’re hay shortages. Consider the above tips to help you feed your horses well, even when there is a hay shortage.

As we head into the second half (and third quarter) of 2022, we’re taking a look at some noteworthy tech milestones which have occurred throughout time in the month of July.

It turns out plenty has happened in the month of July throughout the years. These may be events that changed the course of the world as we now know it or just some interesting tidbits that might arm you for a pub quiz somewhere down the line.

What is also worth knowing is that there are a wealth of casinos online, with the best place to find casino bonuses being available on JohnSlots, an authority on the subject. Slide over to their site now to review and get informed about the best selection of welcome bonuses available to gamers right now. Without making use of the welcome bonus, you’re really missing a trick when it comes to iGaming pursuits, so it’s certainly something which is worth seriously considering.

The Sony Walkman – 1st July.

On 1st July 1979, the Sony Walkman model TPS-L2 was released. The device had a sleek aluminium case (although later models were made of plastic) and headphones which weighed 45 grams. The Walkman was the first listening device which was designed for use on the move, as the name suggests. Original models included two headphone jacks for multiple listener use and also an in-built microphone with music muting capabilities, so you could talk to someone whilst still wearing the headphones. However, the latter feature was later removed due to lack of popularity. What is for sure, is that the Walkman paved the way for changing listening habits.

Donkey Kong – 9th July.

Donkey Kong was released on July 9th of 1981 by Nintendo. The first in a long line of DK games and titles including the character(s) of the title. Of course, DK is associated with the Mario Brothers series, with Mario making his debut in this game. Developed by Shigeru Miyamoto from Japan, the story was centred around the character of Donkey Kong kidnapping a woman (later called Pauline). Players would have to navigate various perilous arcade-based challenges to rescue Pauline from DK’s grasp. Mario went on to star in over 200 games from this original title (up to this point) so you could say this was a bit of a game-changer.

Apollo 11 : The Moon Landing – 20th July.

The infamous, much-debated moon landing from the craft Apollo 11th was a July event. Back in 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin et al landed the first moon-bound spaceflight. 6 hours later, Armstrong became the first to take first steps on the moon, Aldrin joined him 19 minutes later. The lift-off took place at Kennedy Space Centre, in Florida but throughout the years, many conspiracy theories have emerged and gained traction. Mainly, they centre around the notion that the landing itself was staged, and was in fact filmed in a television studio, citing factors such as a wind-blown US flag and ‘reflections’ in the background as proof. In reality, it’s pretty unlikely that it was staged and this is definitely a milestone July event worth recognising either way!

The relevance and popularity of different business sectors change every year. The interest of the target audience in a certain type of services and goods directly affects the growth of profits of businesses engaged in sales and manufacturing. Annual statistics and forecasting of popular businesses are performed by leading analysts who carefully review a number of segments that are worthy of attention.

When considering small business analytics for 2022 with the aim to make an investment or launch a startup, it’s recommended to have a look at today’s online companies, which have shown rapid growth in profitability and customer reach over the last 7 years. Such online projects include reselling items, beauty products, toys, and everyday goods, or industries closely related to cryptocurrency, marketing, training, and the IT field.

How to find a popular startup idea

The success of almost any startup depends directly on a good idea. It makes no difference whether it was borrowed and taken from business analysts’ statistics or developed independently. In fact, there are millions of ideas, hundreds of directions, and dozens of ways to implement absolutely any project.

Search for relevant business ideas in 2022

A lot of ideas are offered to users online, which according to the forecasts and observations of experts should prove to be popular and profitable in the coming years. Naturally, one should also take into account the need to acquire a target audience, as well as the company’s growth trend compared to competing companies. Due to the pandemic, unstable currencies and restrictions, several startup areas that were offered in 2021 remained relevant.

It was and still is natural for such startups not only to have ideas that are interesting and popular with the audience but also to have initial investments that are not limited to a couple of thousand dollars. A logical question would be “where to get funding for a startup business?”. The answer to this question can be found on the dedicated website in the article Where to Get Funding for a Startup Business.

Investing in a new business

It is unrealistic to start a successful business without financial investment and investment of one’s own time. Naturally, the initial promotion, the purchase of goods, and the hiring of employees or advertising are associated with good investments from the future business owner. The question of where to get the necessary amount, taking into account the initial investment and the investment in the first 3 to 6 months of the startup operation, is still crucial.

Is it recommended to take a business start-up loan in 2022?

Perhaps, it is one of the most unfortunate thoughts for a new entrepreneur to think about financing a startup with bank loans. At a time of economic instability, pandemics, and a global shortage of money among the country’s population, you cannot count on a quick payback of any investment in a startup.

Banks, feeling the instability of economic development, may refuse to finance even a person with an excellent credit rating. There can be many reasons for refusal, for instance,

1. Uncertainty of the loan officer in the profitability of your business.
2. Unstable situation in the labor market.
3. Decline in purchasing power.
4. Lack of guarantees for loan repayment.

These and many other reasons can be decisive in providing a loan. In fact, lending may not be profitable for both the bank and the entrepreneur. A higher interest rate or a reduction in the amount that they are willing to lend you against the security of property and with the condition of compulsory insurance will not be the best deal and is an extremely wrong first decision for any business owner.

Asset transfer

One of the solutions in getting an initial investment can be the sale of assets. Any property, be it a business, real estate, or a car, can be sold, and then the money is invested in a new startup. In terms of the financial component, this method has only one advantage – the problem of finding the necessary budget will be solved. There are a lot more disadvantages to such an idea, such as

• loss of income;
• change of habitual life;
• transformation of an asset into a liability;
• lack of a financial safety pillow;
• decrease in credit credibility in the eyes of the bank or future investors.

Selling assets would entail finding transportation, renting a place to live, or finding a source of additional income, which is not compatible with the idea of developing a startup. If we consider business as a risk, it is much more reasonable to look for an investment in an activity that is similar in terms of risks and high profit. We are referring to the casino. Given the modern possibilities of online casinos, and the chance to get not only income but also to quench the thirst for excitement, the future business owner can take advantage of free gambling establishments that offer free spins slots. They will help you to assess your chances of winning for free and get the necessary investment for a startup, without resorting to the services of banks.

Many people enjoy being behind a camera lens capturing every moment. While billions of people upload their photos to social media to share with loved ones purely for pleasure, others can make some real cash out of taking photos.

For those who are after a lucrative career that comes with flexible hours, a sense of freedom, and no two days being the same, launching a photography business may be the answer. This field is highly competitive, so aspiring photographers will need to do everything they can to stand out from the crowd. To have the best chance of success in this field, here are some steps to take before setting up a photography startup.

Pick a speciality

The photography sector is incredibly broad. There are all kinds of genres and specialities that photographers need to learn about before going any further. For those who regard themselves as a hobby photographer, it’s likely thought has already been given into what photography specialties to step into. Carving out a niche instantly separates photographers from the rest.

There are various areas to go into, such as property photography, sports photography, photojournalism, and weddings. Each of these niches can prove highly lucrative. After establishing a niche, this can help to develop a brand, business reputation, and draw clients into the business.

Create a business plan

After choosing a photography niche, the next step is to create a business plan. This is the most important document photographers need to produce before going any further. A business plan outlines the A-Z of the company. This should include goals, timelines, financial forecasts, and a mission statement. For those new to the photography scene, it may be wise to enlist the help of an existing business owner. They will have the knowledge and expertise of what must be included in a business plan.

A business plan should also outline every expense, a game plan, and what will make the photography business profitable. This plan doesn’t need to be thorough at first. Having the basics written down can help in launching a successful business. If any adjustments need to be made, this can be done at any step later down the line.

Build a portfolio

If there is one thing that will make up a large chunk of the website content, it’s a photography portfolio. For those that have a thin collection of previous work, it’s time to venture out into the world and build a portfolio. After carving out a niche, any images that are put onto the website must be related to a particular specialism and interest. To gain momentum and create a good body of work, a lot of these projects may be done for exposure, rather than cash.

When clients land on the page, they’ll need to be impressed from the get-go. Just try not to spam the website and blog with too many photos. It will take time to sift through each photo to decide what’s worth going on the page and what should be left off. Understandably, all these photos can take up a lot of room on a laptop. To condense them down, there is the option to convert jpgs to pdfs. This will instantly free up room and make it much easier to organise documents and stay in control.

Calculate costs

Operating a photography business isn’t going to be cheap. There are all kinds of costs entrepreneurs must bear in mind before the business goes live. While many people may have money in the bank to foot the bill for launching a startup, others need to look down other routes to acquire funding.

Outlining the finances involved in setting up a business will ensure no stone is left unturned. Unfortunately, many business heads in the past have lost track of how much money they’ve put into their operation, to find themselves in mountains of debt before the company even goes live. To stop this from happening, calculating every cost, and noting them down will avoid such a scenario and keep everything on track.

Purchase high-quality photography gear

For photography enthusiasts who believe an iPhone camera will do the job of taking professional photos, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. To attract clients and keep them onboard, photography business owners need to invest in the latest tech and gear. While it may cost a fortune, one must think about the long-term benefits, rather than concentrating too much on the initial price tag.

There are several options to pick from regarding funding for a photography business. Some people ask friends and family for cash to put into the company, whereas others take out business loans from a bank. Another option is to find an investor who is passionate about photography and will foot the bill. Make sure to look at each of these options before making the next step.

Establish an online presence

For clients to hop on board with a photography business, entrepreneurs must make their presence known online. When factoring in how many people use social media platforms like Facebook, it makes sense to create a business platform on this giant. Doing so can make it easier to connect with clients and help them find out more about the company and what services are available.

In addition to using social media, it makes sense to launch a professional business website. This should be easy to navigate, feature contact information and explain the company as a whole. For those who enjoy writing and want to talk about the behind the scenes of the business, setting up a blog is a no-brainer. It may be wise to hire a freelance writer to create content for the blog. Just make sure there is enough time dedicated to creating an online presence. Without it, professional photographers will have a hard time attracting clients and interest.

Keep learning

In the photography world, there is always something new to learn. With new cameras, tripods, and editing software always coming onto the market, it’s a professional photographer’s responsibility to keep on top of the latest trends and use the best equipment on the market. Learning new things can be excellent for building skills, which in turn can draw in more clients and get people talking about the brand.

There are other ways professional photographers can brush up their knowledge. This can be done by reading blogs, joining online communities, and learning from others in the field. Before becoming a business owner, it may make sense to gain some work experience too. Learning from those who have been there and done that can be a real eye-opener. They can share their skills and wisdom which could come in handy when the business gets off the ground. Make sure to ask lots of questions regarding photography and have a pen and notepad handy to make notes which can be referred back to.

Running a photography company means taking on the duty of managing director, freelancer, entrepreneur, and office administrator all rolled into one. Although this may not be the most glamorous or easiest of professions, for those who are committed and dedicated to their craft, following the steps above can help on the journey to launching and maintaining a rewarding career in photography.