The Pros and Cons of Ankle-Carry Holsters

The Pros and Cons of Ankle-Carry Holsters

If you’re new to the world of concealed carry or interested in joining it, there are several different types of holsters to consider. To name a few, there are inside-the-waistband, outside-the-waistband, belly-band, and ankle holsters. Let’s look a little deeper into the pros and cons of ankle-carry holsters so that you can narrow down your choices and decide what’s best for you.

Pros

Versatility

If you prefer to carry a small pistol or micro-pistol, an ankle-carry holster is a solid concealed carry option for you. If you carry a revolver, ankle-holsters are still versatile enough that you’ll be able to carry it below the waist in this way. Other forms of concealed carry may need some serious adjusting if you try to carry a micro-pistol in them, but ankle holsters can carry a wide array, from a Kel-Tec P-3AT or Ruger LCP up to a SIG Sauer P220.

Increased Mobility

Other holster types can prevent you from making certain movements while you carry. For example, carrying outside of the waistband requires you to wear specific apparel. When you move, you may have to adjust this apparel so that your firearm isn’t revealed. In turn, your overall mobility may be compromised. You may find yourself avoiding certain movements to keep your holster and firearm hidden. The beauty of an ankle holster is that it allows you to move freely without worrying that your firearm is showing.

Comfortable Fit

Other common concealed carry holsters can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Carrying inside or outside the waistband may leave you feeling as though you must stand rather than sit, as the nature of having a firearm on your waist means it’s prone to digging into you when you sit. And belly bands can feel uncomfortable on sensitive skin and make your body temperature rise.

Ankle holsters are comfortable because they don’t poke or prod into an important part of your body. Additionally, the skin around the ankle tends to be less sensitive than the torso and waist regions, adding to overall comfort.

Cons

Continual Adjustments

The nature of carrying on your ankle means that your firearm moves every time your leg moves. Continual movement can cause the holster to slip, slide, or shift. To ensure security of the firearm, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these moments and adjust accordingly.

Slower Draw

In times of crisis, the quickest possible draw is ideal. Other concealed carry types keep the firearm close to your hands. This makes it quicker to draw, and in a dangerous situation, these seconds could be the difference between life or death or injury. This is why other holster types appeal to a larger audience.

Evaluate your needs and priorities in a holster. If you’d like some additional guidance in your choice, contact a local professional or sign up for a local concealed carry class near you. Either option can help you consider the pros and cons of an ankle-carry holster.

How To Check the Insulation in Your Home

How To Check the Insulation in Your Home

If you have a good HVAC system and your doors and windows are properly sealed, your home should be comfortable regardless of the temperature outside. However, if your home isn’t comfortable or you notice your HVAC system working harder than normal, something may be wrong with your insulation. Keep reading to learn how to check the insulation in your home so you can get yourself and your family comfortable again.

Attic Insulation

Depending on the state of your attic, you may need to lay down boards to walk on and wear a protective face mask. Even if your attic is mostly finished, you should take a flashlight, head protection, a tape measure, and safety gloves.

Quick Check

First, perform an overall inspection of your attic by checking if your insulation is even with or lower than the floor joists. If you can see the floor joists—even just the tops of them—then you probably need more insulation in your attic. If you can’t see the joists and there aren’t any dips indicating the insulation is low between the joists, then your attic has enough insulation.

Detailed Check

If you want to know exactly how much insulation is in your attic, you can measure it. Be sure to follow certain safety precautions as some older attics have vermiculite insulation, which contains asbestos. When inhaled, asbestos can damage your lungs; disturbing it in any way can create a hazard in your attic and below if it were to get through your ceilings.

If you know your attic doesn’t have this type of insulation, you can proceed with your inspection by sticking a tape measure into any area. Write down how deep the insulation is so you can calculate the R-value—how well the insulation performs—once you’re safely out of the attic. Depending on the type of insulation you have and where your home is located, you can determine what the R-value should be. If the R-value you calculate is lower than the recommended amount, you may need more insulation. You may also need to replace your insulation, depending on the insulation type and how long it’s been in your home.

Wall Insulation

Checking a wall for insulation is much easier than checking your attic insulation; all you have to do is check through an electrical outlet. Before performing the check, turn power off to that outlet and verify that the line isn’t live before proceeding. Then you can remove the outlet cover and check around the outlet with a flashlight; you should be able to see your insulation and determine its thickness. If your wall has no insulation—which can be the case in older homes—or the wall is not properly insulated, you may need to install new insulation.

Home Energy Audit

If you’ve checked your insulation and still can’t determine why your home isn’t comfortable, schedule a home energy audit. A home energy audit will bring a professional to your home with equipment that can identify air leaks invisible to the human eye. These professionals can also teach you how to make your home more energy-efficient, which will save you money.

Now you know how to check the insulation in your home, both in your attic and your walls. Checking your insulation can be dangerous, but if you take the right precautions, you can safely learn what’s going on inside your home. If you’re having trouble finding the problem, a professional home energy audit will help.

Best Animal Companions To Keep Your Horse Company

Best Animal Companions To Keep Your Horse Company

In an ideal world, your horse would have a lifetime circle of equine friends and would never be alone. Sadly, that can’t always happen, and you must occasionally leave them alone. Fortunately, horses tend to get along with other animals, so it’s easy to find the best companions to keep your horse company and improve their mental well-being.

Dog Day Afternoon

Dogs aren’t only a man’s best friend—they are also great companions for your horse. Once you train a dog not to rush or bite at your equine, they may join your trail rides or other activities around your property. Several horses like having a dog at the stable for additional companionship while you are gone, assuming the dog has a calm demeanor.

A dog can also be valuable around the farm because they protect by alerting you if something out of the ordinary, person or animal, is approaching your horse. Dogs are as protective of their animal peers as you if something bad happens.

Have a Cow

Horses and cows can share a pasture and graze happily beside each other all day. In many circumstances, you won’t need to purchase many different foods or even find a new veterinarian.

Cows exhibit the same behavioral features as horses and like to be part of a herd. However, there are some concerns when you let cows and horses interact. The most prominent concern is that cows attract flies, and those flies can wreak havoc on your horses. Employing the best strategies to reduce the number of barn flies makes your horse happier than anything else.

Cool for Cats

Consider a cat as an excellent dual-purpose pet. Felines keep rodents at bay, sparing your food supply for other animals like your horse. Many cats bond with their equine companions and vice versa. A cat enjoys brushing up against the horses as they relax by the fence, giving them some well-deserved love. Unlike dogs, cats aren’t suitable traveling companions. Cats have attachments to locations and aren’t likely to remain in a trailer or stall for long periods.

Keep the Goats Around

Goats are renowned because they are both intelligent and adorable. Adding a goat seems to be a simple solution until you realize they can easily escape any situation. Therefore, if your horse’s best friend is a goat, they may become sad if their buddy vanishes out of sight. Goats are extremely mischievous, and while it’s not true that goats eat tin cans, they consume a variety of strange foods. If you choose to get a goat for your horse, prepare its living area accordingly.

These animal companions will keep your horse from being lonely on the farm. Plus, they make great pets around the home as well. If you notice that your horse is feeling the blues, it’s worth becoming a matchmaker to see if something blossoms between them and an animal companion.

The Best Solutions for Disposing of Old Warehouse Equipment

The Best Solutions for Disposing of Old Warehouse Equipment

Every industry has its own methods of tossing out old stuff, from furniture to food scraps. However, not everyone has access to the same disposal resources or knowledge. Every warehouse manager needs multiple options so that they know there’s more out there than the junkyard. Every warehouse head needs valuable solutions for disposing of old equipment they no longer need.

Recycling Your Equipment

Recycling your equipment is a better approach than throwing it away, as the parts will be broken down at nearby facilities and used for future projects by other manufacturers. Contact local recycling plants and ask about specialized centers that pick up old gear and send them to get scrapped.

Companies that specialize in transporting old equipment take them to scrapyards where parts are torn off and broken down further if need be and sold to others to use again on future equipment.

Selling to Buyers

Another method is to sell directly to buyers. Sometimes there’s a fee to pick up equipment and transport it to different places. Instead of spending the money to do this, you could post your gear for sale online and wait for the offers to come in.

Selling directly to bargain hunters has a better profit than recycling. If the equipment’s relatively new and made in the last five years, you could get an excellent net value after selling it. This method also helps if you have no scheduled place to drop off equipment yourself. Before trading, ensure you have reviewed several tips to help sell your stuff.

Collaborating With Brokers

You may have heard about using brokers to get rid of your equipment but are unsure about this method because you’re worried about scams. An experienced broker is knowledgeable and knows the best prices to offer for older equipment.

When searching for brokers, ensure they have a phone number or email. Some companies may create a website that only lists their address. Remain wary if you’re unsure whether you should bring your equipment to be estimated at a specific company.

Auctioning Off Your Gear

Auctioning is sometimes the better option. You likely have equipment on the floor or in storage that is in disrepair and doesn’t run well anymore. Even broken equipment can sell well at auction. If there’s an auctioneer business near you, give them a call. They’ll be the key connection to assist in finding a team to work with.

You will receive a profit from every sale. If your stuff doesn’t sell in person, there’s a likely chance it’ll sell online. Find companies that offer online auctions as well as in-person ones. If there are undecided crowds, posting a listing on the internet gives others a chance to go back and look again.

It does take time to find a better solution to disposing of your old warehouse gear. However, it’s essential to know your options so that you can assess what will work best and who to contact for future reference. When deciding the best disposal method for aged gear, keep these options in mind.

How To Reduce Hay Waste When Feeding Cattle

How To Reduce Hay Waste When Feeding Cattle

Dealing with hay waste can be one of the most frustrating and monotonous parts of ranching or farming. Of course, you want to make sure your animals are well-fed, but you don’t want them ripping out hay only for it to become inedible. Here’s how to reduce hay waste when you’re feeding cattle to save money and ensure your animals remain well-fed.

Change Your Feeding Method

It’s best practice to put out only as much hay as your animals can eat in a day. If you have to put out a large portion of hay, make sure to put a barrier such as a feeding rack between the feed and your animals. In addition, never place your hay in lowland areas or streams. You want to make sure to place your feed at the highest elevation point possible on a high-traffic area pad. A high-traffic area pad is a flat, solid surface usually made of concrete. This is great for preventing mud, reducing the spread of pathogens, and avoiding soil compaction.

Switch Up Your Feeder

Trailer and cradle feeders generally produce the most hay waste. This is because cattle tend to push others out of the way, dropping hay and trampling on it. Ring and cone feeders allow for more room and less resource guarding, meaning less hay falls out of the feeder. In addition, adding a metal sheet to the bottom of the feeder catches the fallen hay and prevents it from being trampled into the soil, no matter what type of hay feeder you choose.

Monitor Hay Quality

The nutrient profile of your hay should match your animals’ nutrient needs. To be able to use your hay with the most efficiency, it should be sampled in separate cuttings to determine which type your animals respond to the best. Or you can test your hay’s nutritional profile by obtaining a sample from a coring probe and sending it to a lab for testing. Either way, you should always monitor the quality of your hay to avoid buying hay that your animals won’t eat and that won’t benefit them.

Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to reduce hay waste when feeding cattle, you can be sure that your cattle are well-fed on your budget.