When a horse comes in for rehab, we have to make several decisions and assessments on their overall condition and health. Kahuna was pretty easy- all he truly needed was a careful feeding program in order to regain the weight he had lost. Which he did- in short order.
HoneyMare however is a whole other ball game. Her weight is fine- but her condition? Poor. Setting aside her pain issues, a close look was needed at the following:
- coat condition
- texture of mane/ tail hair
- hoof condition
- muscle tone
I often get ribbed about how much time I'll spend just watching the horses interact and move around the paddock. I watch how they eat, drink, the differences in their manure, the look in their eye, how often they sleep, how often they lay down to roll, etc etc... Some might say I need a hobby. (I have no clue what they are talking about. Watching horses IS a hobby!) But it is because of this close observation that I can tell you the following about HoneyMare:
- Her coat is soft but poor
- Mane is rough and ragged feeling
- Eyes are bright, but very suspicious
- Eyes are also very KIND
- She has no muscle tone.
Now this last one-- that is somewhat on the serious side. We aren't talking she's "slightly out of shape" like Lutin is. Lutin, aka: Mommy's Little Dump Truck, or The Pregnant Gelding, has a layer of fat. (Yes. It is a big layer of fat.) BUT. When you gently POKE that layer of fat- in the chest, forearms, gaskin, rump, tail head, etc, you don't sink much into goo before finding a solid sheet of muscle. He is a pretty beefy pony. HoneyMare though... well.. the poor old girl reminded me of Jell-o with less surface tension this morning. No matter where I tested, she was... jiggly. No muscle. It's not like she's been kept in a stall- she has been in a sizeable paddock, with other horses and moving about. Enough to maintain a low level of condition. I did not honestly expect the old girl to have this much jiggle to her body.
Now we all know- the fitter we are, the easier it is to control those aches and pains that creep up on us. Diet plays an important role in this, as well as activity. Speaking strictly for myself, the more I move and do, the better I tend to feel. The more I limit sugars and processed foods in my diet, the less joint pain I have. Does this stop the ice cream binge now and then, or the odd chocolate bar? Oh Heck No. But it is something I am aware of. How does this apply to HoneyMare? Well, she needs nutritional help to build condition. After years of observation, I am a FIRM believer in conditioning from the inside out of a horse. Putting the old girl immediately into a "work" program would only serve to break her down and break her down hard. The overall goal is to restore soundness- NOT to put her into permanent retirement.
How are we going to do this?
First, she will be on joint supplements. Her owner and I did a bit of research, and there were 4 key things I wanted to see in what we gave her. MSM, Glucosamine, Chondrotin Sulfates, and Hylaronic Acid.
Next, we started today- she'll get a good, thorough currying at least once a day. This serves several purposes in rehab. One, it allows me to get totally hands on and feel for hot spots, divots, depressions, hard lumps and bumps, sore spots, etc etc. It helps get the horse accustomed to me touching them all over. And lastly it helps stimulate their coats a bit. Today with HoneyMare the big revealing finding was her complete lack of any kind of condition. In the past, a good rub down had shown us she has a crooked neck. (I have to try and get pictures of that for you.) I *suspect* an old incident of her... running along in low light, tripping and landing forehead first and sliding along on her face for a bit, with her head/ neck twisted a bit. (It is what I *SUSPECT*. I do not have this for fact. For all I know, she could have been stepped on by her dam as a foal. Or run headlong into the side of the barn. But that suspicion *feels* right in this instance.)
And that crooked neck is 99% likely where the majority of her issues are stemming from right now. Helping her ease that issue is going to be interesting. One of the first things we need to do though is get her healthier inside, so she can begin to support herself more. My original estimate of two months minimum might have been optimistic. We might be looking more at 3 to 4 months. Which is all good- she is an easy girl to be around!
For physical conditioning, we are going pretty far outside the box. She'll be walking. And so will I. Once we have her supplements started, the old girl and I will be taking some good walks daily. Over time, I'll add weight by tossing up one of the Locust Brothers. And we'll add in trotting in time. But for right now, I need to get a new pair of sneakers cause we'll be putting rubber to the road. (Technically, if I trusted Lutin to pony her, we'd do that. It would kill 2 birds with one stone getting them both legged up. As it is... he needs a few more wet saddle blankets before I'll try to pony from him.)
That about sums up conditioning for this horse. Lots of different things to look at and work on. Kahuna was easy compared to this!
Thoughts?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
What's New At The Asylum
I'm back from school. My brain is bleeding. But.. in the grand scheme of things it's all good. As I mentioned-- school was non-equine related. I wasn't going to mention it but a few emails and requests later, it was decided FOR me that we would talk about it. (If you want horse stuff, skip down a few paragraphs-- there is a new rehab mare in the paddock with Mommy's Little Dump Truck. Scan down to meet Diamond, aka: Honey Mare.)
Right. School. Now, long time readers know my stance on shooting, firearms, training, the second amendment, etc. You know Dear Husband is a Range Master and has a list of NRA credentials that is impressively lengthy. Well... he has been working with me. And... we determined now was the time to begin working on MY credentials. First up- the REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM certification. Wait-- what? What the heck is REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM? VERY briefly, RTBAV is a course designed by women who wanted to learn to be safer and NOT be pushed with a sales pitch to join/ buy/ etc. The course was so popular that in 1997 it went co-ed, allowing men to not only attend the seminars but also to teach. What is it all about? It teaches seminar participants something I have been preaching for a very long time now. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. It teaches you how to spot and avoid situations where you might wind up in a bad way. From staying alert at the grocery store, dealing with road rage, being car jacked, air port safety, interwebz safety-- all those things we are supposed to KNOW, yet.... ignore or don't think about. It teaches you it is OK to listen to your gut instinct. AND it teaches you how to handle situations that arise. The course shows you options- lots of them. Every situation is different-- not every option will work every time. This is very much a descriptive course-- since there is no one pat solid answer that will work in every situation, the goal of the entire seminar is to encourage attendees to think, pay attention, and sort out exactly what it is THEY are prepared to do in any given situation.
Just out of curiosity-- what are YOU prepared to do?
So, yours truly, Mrs Mom, is now a certified Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor. I will be team teaching with Dear Husband.
Next up for my continuing ed:
- Range Safety Officer
- Basic Pistol Instructor
Dear Husband has plans to pimp me out apparently. (Not a bad thing, in the grand scheme of things.)
Onto Horse News!
Yes- as mentioned above, there is a different horse at The Asylum. Mommy's Little Dump Truck has himself a bit of a girlfriend. Sweet Diamond, who I spent all morning calling "HoneyMare" (simply because she is as sweet as honey,) is here for some pain management issues. A late teens/ maybe early 20's old girl, she appears to have spent her life being rode hard and put up wet on maybe a few too many occasions. The old girl is incredibly well trained, loves children, does NOT care for dogs, and has just spent that I know of the last six months moving. very. slowly. and carefully. She just looks like everything is achy and painful from her ears to her tail. The tentative plan thus far:
- Joint supplements
-Careful, slow conditioning
- Lots of massage, and TLC
I like rehab. In fact, you could say I *LOVE* doing rehab work. Being able to sort out where the problem is and iron out a treatment plan is awesome. Watching horses move back into soundness is a thrill in itself. We tend to stick to the KISS method with rehab-- keeping things as simple as possible makes it easier for the owners to maintain the level of soundness AND it is healthier for the horse in my (not overly humble) opinion. Each situation is different, heck each horse can offer up different things on a daily basis. Often times though the hardest thing to impart to owners is that proper rehab takes TIME. Time is one of the greatest healers. If you can make small adjustments for the horse, so that time indeed CAN work, you wind up with a sounder healthier horse. However, if you are one who wants instant gratification... well.... then it is time for you to gain an understanding that patience is a virtue.
Rehabbing HoneyMare is going to be interesting. She needs physical conditioning in order to be able to support her body better, and she needs nutritional conditioning in order to be able to increase the health in her joints. Projected outlook right now on her recovery...... two months minimum.
The other thing to understand: two months might help build her up, but it is going to be a continuing issue. The moment her condition slips- either physical or nutritional- she will slip back into the cycle of not feeling "right", moving differently, and winding up hurting.
Rehab in a LOT of cases is NOT NOT NOT a one time fix. It is a continuous job. Bringing a horse back from a bad abscess and the resulting lameness from that is one thing. Bringing a horse back from long term joint changes and years of their body being more or less used up is a whole other ball game.
Now it is time for me to finish up my beverage and head out to bathe a couple of horses. Mommy's Little Dump Truck needs his tail brushed out too. And when you have THAT much tail, it takes a while!!
For now though, Happy Trails!
~MM
Right. School. Now, long time readers know my stance on shooting, firearms, training, the second amendment, etc. You know Dear Husband is a Range Master and has a list of NRA credentials that is impressively lengthy. Well... he has been working with me. And... we determined now was the time to begin working on MY credentials. First up- the REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM certification. Wait-- what? What the heck is REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM? VERY briefly, RTBAV is a course designed by women who wanted to learn to be safer and NOT be pushed with a sales pitch to join/ buy/ etc. The course was so popular that in 1997 it went co-ed, allowing men to not only attend the seminars but also to teach. What is it all about? It teaches seminar participants something I have been preaching for a very long time now. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. It teaches you how to spot and avoid situations where you might wind up in a bad way. From staying alert at the grocery store, dealing with road rage, being car jacked, air port safety, interwebz safety-- all those things we are supposed to KNOW, yet.... ignore or don't think about. It teaches you it is OK to listen to your gut instinct. AND it teaches you how to handle situations that arise. The course shows you options- lots of them. Every situation is different-- not every option will work every time. This is very much a descriptive course-- since there is no one pat solid answer that will work in every situation, the goal of the entire seminar is to encourage attendees to think, pay attention, and sort out exactly what it is THEY are prepared to do in any given situation.
Just out of curiosity-- what are YOU prepared to do?
So, yours truly, Mrs Mom, is now a certified Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor. I will be team teaching with Dear Husband.
Next up for my continuing ed:
- Range Safety Officer
- Basic Pistol Instructor
Dear Husband has plans to pimp me out apparently. (Not a bad thing, in the grand scheme of things.)
Onto Horse News!
Yes- as mentioned above, there is a different horse at The Asylum. Mommy's Little Dump Truck has himself a bit of a girlfriend. Sweet Diamond, who I spent all morning calling "HoneyMare" (simply because she is as sweet as honey,) is here for some pain management issues. A late teens/ maybe early 20's old girl, she appears to have spent her life being rode hard and put up wet on maybe a few too many occasions. The old girl is incredibly well trained, loves children, does NOT care for dogs, and has just spent that I know of the last six months moving. very. slowly. and carefully. She just looks like everything is achy and painful from her ears to her tail. The tentative plan thus far:
- Joint supplements
-Careful, slow conditioning
- Lots of massage, and TLC
I like rehab. In fact, you could say I *LOVE* doing rehab work. Being able to sort out where the problem is and iron out a treatment plan is awesome. Watching horses move back into soundness is a thrill in itself. We tend to stick to the KISS method with rehab-- keeping things as simple as possible makes it easier for the owners to maintain the level of soundness AND it is healthier for the horse in my (not overly humble) opinion. Each situation is different, heck each horse can offer up different things on a daily basis. Often times though the hardest thing to impart to owners is that proper rehab takes TIME. Time is one of the greatest healers. If you can make small adjustments for the horse, so that time indeed CAN work, you wind up with a sounder healthier horse. However, if you are one who wants instant gratification... well.... then it is time for you to gain an understanding that patience is a virtue.
Rehabbing HoneyMare is going to be interesting. She needs physical conditioning in order to be able to support her body better, and she needs nutritional conditioning in order to be able to increase the health in her joints. Projected outlook right now on her recovery...... two months minimum.
The other thing to understand: two months might help build her up, but it is going to be a continuing issue. The moment her condition slips- either physical or nutritional- she will slip back into the cycle of not feeling "right", moving differently, and winding up hurting.
Rehab in a LOT of cases is NOT NOT NOT a one time fix. It is a continuous job. Bringing a horse back from a bad abscess and the resulting lameness from that is one thing. Bringing a horse back from long term joint changes and years of their body being more or less used up is a whole other ball game.
Now it is time for me to finish up my beverage and head out to bathe a couple of horses. Mommy's Little Dump Truck needs his tail brushed out too. And when you have THAT much tail, it takes a while!!
For now though, Happy Trails!
~MM
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
SMILE!
You're On Mrs Mom's Camera!
In order to control the (legless) snake population a bit, hayfield *yard* care in is order. While mowing and weed whackering on Sunday, Dear Husband found this old guy in the pen with the big Bloodhound. Just how Mr. Turtle escaped the (slobbery) attention of the 'Hound is beyond me- that dog LOVES to slime EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING. All you have to do is come within six feet of him and BLAMO-- you've been slimed. We call it liquid love. (OK so *I* Call it just plain g-r-o-s-s!)
Lutin (aka: Mommy's Little Dump Truck) is going to miss his buddy... but not that much.
Wait-- Mrs Mom mentioned a class! It's not equine related, so don't get all excited about new horsey information when I get back.
And before anyone says it- I will. I confess. Lutin. Is. Fat. PHAT, FAT, Chunky Monkey, Chubby Hubby, Roly poly FAT.
But dang isn't he CUTE?
Stay cool y'all.
~MM
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Oh This Is SO Not Fair.
Current temp outside: 105*
Temps at some of my favorite places:
76*
75*
61*
Something is really wrong with this picture.
Speaking of pictures-- here's one for you. Warning- don't look real close if you have a snake aversion.
This was NOT in my yard. This over 6' long rattle snake was outside of Fort Stewart (about an hour from here.) The rattlesnake population has exploded this year with a twist-- they are NOT rattling to warn you before they strike. The man in the picture (who knows Dear Husband) tried to provoke this snake into rattling, and he did not succeed. It is not just that snake that has not been rattling--- very few of the snakes he has seen this year (72 total) have rattled.
By the way-- the man? He is 6' 2" tall. One of them there southern corn fed mules.
I've been out of sorts the past few days. First the news of a beloved adopted family member in bad bad BAD health sent me reeling. The thought of loosing someone else so very close to my heart on the heels of loosing Johnny Reb has done a number on me.
Then yesterday, Dear Husband called with news.
Friday evening (still daylight out) one of our neighbors was abducted and raped as she walked closer to the road to get a better signal on her cell phone. (She lived. Amen.) This happened less than a 1/4 mile from where I sit right now.
Later on, Dear Husband called with more information. The two suspects who did that have also been implicated in the abduction and rape of two OTHER women, with in two miles of here, in the last two weeks. AND! They have ALSO been implicated in roughly ten home invasion/ burglaries in the immediate neighborhood.
AND!
As he was leaving for work yesterday morning at 7AM, there was a roughly six foot water moccasin in the driveway.
I did not realize he had seen the snake until 10A when we spoke. At 9A, I was out in the paddock taking care of the horses and the Locust Brothers had Murphy out playing. They all came running rapidly to me, "Mom! Mom! We saw a BIG SNAKE!!" (By the time I got to the spot with the shotgun, the snake had gone.)
It's a snake invasion- but some of the snakes are bipedal.
*sigh*
I think it's time to move. For reals.
Temps at some of my favorite places:
76*
75*
61*
Something is really wrong with this picture.
Speaking of pictures-- here's one for you. Warning- don't look real close if you have a snake aversion.
By the way-- the man? He is 6' 2" tall. One of them there southern corn fed mules.
I've been out of sorts the past few days. First the news of a beloved adopted family member in bad bad BAD health sent me reeling. The thought of loosing someone else so very close to my heart on the heels of loosing Johnny Reb has done a number on me.
Then yesterday, Dear Husband called with news.
Friday evening (still daylight out) one of our neighbors was abducted and raped as she walked closer to the road to get a better signal on her cell phone. (She lived. Amen.) This happened less than a 1/4 mile from where I sit right now.
Later on, Dear Husband called with more information. The two suspects who did that have also been implicated in the abduction and rape of two OTHER women, with in two miles of here, in the last two weeks. AND! They have ALSO been implicated in roughly ten home invasion/ burglaries in the immediate neighborhood.
AND!
As he was leaving for work yesterday morning at 7AM, there was a roughly six foot water moccasin in the driveway.
I did not realize he had seen the snake until 10A when we spoke. At 9A, I was out in the paddock taking care of the horses and the Locust Brothers had Murphy out playing. They all came running rapidly to me, "Mom! Mom! We saw a BIG SNAKE!!" (By the time I got to the spot with the shotgun, the snake had gone.)
It's a snake invasion- but some of the snakes are bipedal.
*sigh*
I think it's time to move. For reals.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Insanity!
Well what do you expect from a place known as "THE ASYLUM"? Nothing but the best kind of Insanity, right?
Happy to oblige!
On one hand, it seems like there is nothing going on. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.
But in the same breath, it is pretty shocking how much is getting done horse-wise.
For example- Kahuna. I think he has put on substantial weight. Maybe close to the 100 pound mark now. He is looking f-i-n-e. (I know-- we need pictures. Should be able to get some of him this afternoon/ evening for his second bath of the day.) Yes. Kahuna gets at least two baths a day when it is this hot out. First one early morning, post work, second one before supper/ bedtime to wash off the sweat. He *hates* to be sweaty. Can't blame him- I'm not overly fond of it myself.
Back to the "work" part. In order to make sure he is going to be able to maintain his new buff figure, we had to add in some work. Build some muscle under his sleek hide. Round out his behiney. So far, so good. He works 20 minutes on the line, walk, trot, canter both directions, every other day. I had wanted to do a 3 day on/ 1 day off schedule, but... yeah. That has for various reasons not been able to happen. Want to see this Thoroughbred smile? Give him a job. Any job. Bathe him after, and tell him what a handsome bugger he is. Include lots of "Good Boy!" in there too and he'll just about walk through fire for you.
Now Big Kahuna is not the only one getting early morning before it gets smokin' hot work outs. Nope. Lutin the Wonder Pony has been jogging a bit too. Y'all, forgive me in advance for the next part, because I am going to poke fun at my pony. I'm also going to point out where issues are my own fault as well- the whole point in posting stories about Lutin the Pregnant Gelding is to help people learn what to look for in their own Pregnant Geldings.
So the first time I had Lutin on the line.... he walked a good warm up. About 5 minutes into it... he was puffing. I asked him for 3 laps at the jog. And had uncontrollable fits of giggles watching him jog. Why? Because his entire body needs a sports bra. No- seriously- the poor fellow was one massive jiggle wave from stem to stern. And he was Not. Impressed. with my giggling either. That boy can shoot a hairy eyeball like no other. Some more walking and 3 more slow, jiggly jog laps in the other direction, and this little rotund Pregnant Gelding was toast. Puffing, head down- you'd think I just ran his tail off for a mile or more.
I am pleased to report now though, he can maintain an easy jog for five minutes in each direction.
Now- I can hear wheels turning out there. Someone is wondering why I am not pushing Chunky Monkey Boy a little harder, trying to carve some more weight off of him faster. The biggest reason is that Lutin actually has some pretty creaky stiff sore hocks. The vet suspects some mild arthritic changes in there. Packing around all that extra weight is NOT good for his joints. Pushing him to shed the weight quickly will make him lame. And sore. And I know from past experience, a sore painful Lutin is a Very. Bad. Pony. to share air with.
The plan is to continue slow, careful work with my Pregnant Not Quite As Jiggly Gelding. I'll crawl up on him probably in the next couple weeks and start some slow walk work. We'll get the Locust Brothers up there too- they love riding their pony as much as Lutin likes packing them around.
Now for a wee bit of the REST of the Insanity.
Murphy and DAT continue to have zoomies together. Murph is also working on her obedience training. Somedays she does stellar. Other days? Yeah.. not so much. Her attention span is shorter than the Locust Brothers. Which is ok. Like the Locusts, Murph totally thinks with her tummy. And I do use that to my advantage! MUWAAHAAAHAHAHAHA
*coughcough* Sorry about the maniacal laughter there..
The garden is struggling. It was not until recently that I had a revelation. When you plant in sand based soil, you need to FERTILIZE. I kinda sorta forgot that part... Now that we have fertilized, we've had some LOVELY maters, beautiful peppers and there are squash growing like crazy. Need to fertilize again!!
Oh- I know what has been on my mind... hay. Of course- hay is always on horse folks minds. Drought has come to stay in the south east and I've spent some time locating hay. We found some, had it delivered... and two days into feeding it, I started getting sick as a DOG. Breaking out in hives, skin so red and angry looking Dear Husband was pretty sure I would have glowed in the dark. All that was missing was difficulty breathing to solidify my anaphalactic reaction. Thank Heavens for Benedryl. Sure makes it difficult to get much done though! I've since located more hay and will be picking some up ASAP.
In times of drought- be careful. Being able to tell what is exactly in that hay can be tough. If it made ME sick, what might it do to horses?
That is about it for the goings on at the moment. Plans are still brewing for a run to Tundra Country. My adopted relative is still hanging tough. We'll keep you posted as plans progress.
Meantime, have a fun one and be sure to stay perched in the middle!
~MM
Happy to oblige!
On one hand, it seems like there is nothing going on. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.
But in the same breath, it is pretty shocking how much is getting done horse-wise.
For example- Kahuna. I think he has put on substantial weight. Maybe close to the 100 pound mark now. He is looking f-i-n-e. (I know-- we need pictures. Should be able to get some of him this afternoon/ evening for his second bath of the day.) Yes. Kahuna gets at least two baths a day when it is this hot out. First one early morning, post work, second one before supper/ bedtime to wash off the sweat. He *hates* to be sweaty. Can't blame him- I'm not overly fond of it myself.
Back to the "work" part. In order to make sure he is going to be able to maintain his new buff figure, we had to add in some work. Build some muscle under his sleek hide. Round out his behiney. So far, so good. He works 20 minutes on the line, walk, trot, canter both directions, every other day. I had wanted to do a 3 day on/ 1 day off schedule, but... yeah. That has for various reasons not been able to happen. Want to see this Thoroughbred smile? Give him a job. Any job. Bathe him after, and tell him what a handsome bugger he is. Include lots of "Good Boy!" in there too and he'll just about walk through fire for you.
Now Big Kahuna is not the only one getting early morning before it gets smokin' hot work outs. Nope. Lutin the Wonder Pony has been jogging a bit too. Y'all, forgive me in advance for the next part, because I am going to poke fun at my pony. I'm also going to point out where issues are my own fault as well- the whole point in posting stories about Lutin the Pregnant Gelding is to help people learn what to look for in their own Pregnant Geldings.
So the first time I had Lutin on the line.... he walked a good warm up. About 5 minutes into it... he was puffing. I asked him for 3 laps at the jog. And had uncontrollable fits of giggles watching him jog. Why? Because his entire body needs a sports bra. No- seriously- the poor fellow was one massive jiggle wave from stem to stern. And he was Not. Impressed. with my giggling either. That boy can shoot a hairy eyeball like no other. Some more walking and 3 more slow, jiggly jog laps in the other direction, and this little rotund Pregnant Gelding was toast. Puffing, head down- you'd think I just ran his tail off for a mile or more.
I am pleased to report now though, he can maintain an easy jog for five minutes in each direction.
Now- I can hear wheels turning out there. Someone is wondering why I am not pushing Chunky Monkey Boy a little harder, trying to carve some more weight off of him faster. The biggest reason is that Lutin actually has some pretty creaky stiff sore hocks. The vet suspects some mild arthritic changes in there. Packing around all that extra weight is NOT good for his joints. Pushing him to shed the weight quickly will make him lame. And sore. And I know from past experience, a sore painful Lutin is a Very. Bad. Pony. to share air with.
The plan is to continue slow, careful work with my Pregnant Not Quite As Jiggly Gelding. I'll crawl up on him probably in the next couple weeks and start some slow walk work. We'll get the Locust Brothers up there too- they love riding their pony as much as Lutin likes packing them around.
Now for a wee bit of the REST of the Insanity.
Murphy and DAT continue to have zoomies together. Murph is also working on her obedience training. Somedays she does stellar. Other days? Yeah.. not so much. Her attention span is shorter than the Locust Brothers. Which is ok. Like the Locusts, Murph totally thinks with her tummy. And I do use that to my advantage! MUWAAHAAAHAHAHAHA
*coughcough* Sorry about the maniacal laughter there..
The garden is struggling. It was not until recently that I had a revelation. When you plant in sand based soil, you need to FERTILIZE. I kinda sorta forgot that part... Now that we have fertilized, we've had some LOVELY maters, beautiful peppers and there are squash growing like crazy. Need to fertilize again!!
Oh- I know what has been on my mind... hay. Of course- hay is always on horse folks minds. Drought has come to stay in the south east and I've spent some time locating hay. We found some, had it delivered... and two days into feeding it, I started getting sick as a DOG. Breaking out in hives, skin so red and angry looking Dear Husband was pretty sure I would have glowed in the dark. All that was missing was difficulty breathing to solidify my anaphalactic reaction. Thank Heavens for Benedryl. Sure makes it difficult to get much done though! I've since located more hay and will be picking some up ASAP.
In times of drought- be careful. Being able to tell what is exactly in that hay can be tough. If it made ME sick, what might it do to horses?
That is about it for the goings on at the moment. Plans are still brewing for a run to Tundra Country. My adopted relative is still hanging tough. We'll keep you posted as plans progress.
Meantime, have a fun one and be sure to stay perched in the middle!
~MM
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Sometimes You're The Windshield.....
Sometimes you're the bug.
Word from Tundra Country reached me last night, of the extreme illness of someone who has been a father figure to myself and many others. I'm in the early stages of trying to sort out logistics for travel.
I'm starting to really not like the month of June very much.
Last June, the Locust Brothers and I shared a cold. In the harshest grips of it, my Gramma passed away. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I could not make it back North for her service.
This June, the boys once again managed to catch a friggin cold, and share it with me. Leaving me right now with no voice, a headache, sore throat, etc etc etc.
I can't go and see Papa C'dub with a friggin cold.
Flying while suffering a headcold I've been advised is a Really. Bad. Idea.
So, it looks like a drive might be in order.
A two day drive.
With two active, rowdy boys in the truck with me.
I'd borrow a phrase from Momma Fargo right now, but since I do try to keep this family friendly, let me see if I can't come up with an alternative saying for it....
Forni... umm.. Penetrate My Posterior.
Not quite the same ring, but it'll do.
For some happy news:
Lutin the Pregnant Gelding is doing marvelous. He is still about three bites away from exploding, but since he has not exploded yet I'm going to take that as a GOOD thing. We started back to some light work this week- which was promptly curtailed by this fornicating cold. I know-- it is mean as H3ll of me to laugh, but y'all... the expression on his handsome face while attempting a slow jog around me on the lunge line was friggin hilarious. I think the poor pony called me every name BUT a Child Of God, and by the ten minute mark he was huffing and puffing pretty good.
Big Kahuna has filled out nicely, and also started back to some minor work. HE was NOT huffing and puffing. HE managed about 20 minutes of walk, trot, canter work before we decided that was enough for the first time. That I'm here to tell you was a Happy Horse. Apparently, Kahuna LIKES a job, even if a simple one. Silly fellow smiled for two days straight. If I can scrape up the energy, I'll get him out later today and let him putter about some on the line again. It's just so great to see him SMILE.
Even with all the mess going on in Life right now, the horses bring happies.
Murphy, Farm Dog in Training, brings smiles as well - but she also brings out cuss words. Cute she is- bright she isn't. I have to get some recent pictures so you can all see how her little face is getting... silver. Not white, not gray, silver. Kinda cool actually.
Murph won't mess with Porch Cat. (Shoot- NO ONE messes with Porch Cat and lives to tell the tale, why should Murph be any different?) But DAT? Holy cow. Those two are about the same speed (except I suspect DAT is a bit brighter. OK... a whole lot brighter.) DAT will pounce Murph, and Murph takes off hauling butt round and round. She'll pause by DAT, and the games start again. Love. It.
Well since the Locust Brothers are gnawing on my leg right now, insisting that their bellies are rubbing blisters in their back bones, I'd best get up and feed them. Before they chew through my leg.
Happy Trails folks. And please- be SURE to let those in your life who matter to you know how you feel. You may never get that chance to "do it tomorrow".
~MM
Word from Tundra Country reached me last night, of the extreme illness of someone who has been a father figure to myself and many others. I'm in the early stages of trying to sort out logistics for travel.
I'm starting to really not like the month of June very much.
Last June, the Locust Brothers and I shared a cold. In the harshest grips of it, my Gramma passed away. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I could not make it back North for her service.
This June, the boys once again managed to catch a friggin cold, and share it with me. Leaving me right now with no voice, a headache, sore throat, etc etc etc.
I can't go and see Papa C'dub with a friggin cold.
Flying while suffering a headcold I've been advised is a Really. Bad. Idea.
So, it looks like a drive might be in order.
A two day drive.
With two active, rowdy boys in the truck with me.
I'd borrow a phrase from Momma Fargo right now, but since I do try to keep this family friendly, let me see if I can't come up with an alternative saying for it....
Forni... umm.. Penetrate My Posterior.
Not quite the same ring, but it'll do.
For some happy news:
Lutin the Pregnant Gelding is doing marvelous. He is still about three bites away from exploding, but since he has not exploded yet I'm going to take that as a GOOD thing. We started back to some light work this week- which was promptly curtailed by this fornicating cold. I know-- it is mean as H3ll of me to laugh, but y'all... the expression on his handsome face while attempting a slow jog around me on the lunge line was friggin hilarious. I think the poor pony called me every name BUT a Child Of God, and by the ten minute mark he was huffing and puffing pretty good.
Big Kahuna has filled out nicely, and also started back to some minor work. HE was NOT huffing and puffing. HE managed about 20 minutes of walk, trot, canter work before we decided that was enough for the first time. That I'm here to tell you was a Happy Horse. Apparently, Kahuna LIKES a job, even if a simple one. Silly fellow smiled for two days straight. If I can scrape up the energy, I'll get him out later today and let him putter about some on the line again. It's just so great to see him SMILE.
Even with all the mess going on in Life right now, the horses bring happies.
Murphy, Farm Dog in Training, brings smiles as well - but she also brings out cuss words. Cute she is- bright she isn't. I have to get some recent pictures so you can all see how her little face is getting... silver. Not white, not gray, silver. Kinda cool actually.
Murph won't mess with Porch Cat. (Shoot- NO ONE messes with Porch Cat and lives to tell the tale, why should Murph be any different?) But DAT? Holy cow. Those two are about the same speed (except I suspect DAT is a bit brighter. OK... a whole lot brighter.) DAT will pounce Murph, and Murph takes off hauling butt round and round. She'll pause by DAT, and the games start again. Love. It.
Well since the Locust Brothers are gnawing on my leg right now, insisting that their bellies are rubbing blisters in their back bones, I'd best get up and feed them. Before they chew through my leg.
Happy Trails folks. And please- be SURE to let those in your life who matter to you know how you feel. You may never get that chance to "do it tomorrow".
~MM
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Long County GA- Apparently NOT a Good Place For Horses
Dear Husband d I always commented on the conditions of the horses we saw when we had to drive through Long County, GA. It seemed to us that there were quite a few poor looking animals around. But, given the southeast was in the grips of an extreme drought, we skeptically cut owners some slack.
Then, a couple years later, we hear about the crazy rescue "LOONIE FARMS" and what type of Hell on Earth they provided to the animals in their "care" (and I do use the term "care" loosely.)
Next thing I know, there is another news story on the airwaves about yet another horse farm. This time a boarding facility. Apparently, 18 horses (3 of which were owned by the farm) were left with out access to water, no hay and no grain.
Seriously? It's been HOT here. H-O-T. Temps in the 90's, with heat index above 100* on several days. Animal control confiscated 3 horses, returned the rest to their rightful owners. One horse, last I heard, was in critical condition.
In the news today was a very brief news bit about "Red Flag Warnings At Horse Boarding Facilities."
It listed a couple of tips, but it seemed to me like there were a whole LOT of tips left out. I understand -- most news folks are NOT horse people. It takes true horse people to do news like this justice. So, after mulling it over some today, here are a few things that might make you want to stop and reconsider where to board your horse.
1) If you pull up for a preliminary inspection of the property and are greeted with the following:
- Horses showing ribs
- Hooves untrimmed (not just hooves at the 10 week mark-- we are talking 6 months plus of growth)
- Fences falling down
- No shelter/ shelters in disrepair/ falling down shelter/ barn
GET THE HELL BACK IN YOUR CAR AND LEAVE.
2) If the above look acceptable, look at the following areas:
- Water tanks- clean? Or green and slimy? Full? Or not so much?
- Hay- smell fresh? Dusty? A type of hay you recognize?
- Feed room- grain smell fresh? Plenty on hand or cobwebs undisturbed for ages showing no one has been in there?
- Condition of stalls- clean and bedded? Safe hardware for holding buckets? No nails/ screws sticking out? Holes in walls? Loads of cobwebs?
- Barn aisle- clean, swept, easy access or dirty, crowded and hard to negotiate through?
- Clearly marked emergency instructions?
3) Find out what the facility rules are.
-Are you required to announce your visit or can you come anytime?
- Does the barn close on certain days/ at specific times?
- Do they provide scheduled de-worming?
- Are you restricted with the vet or hoof care provider you can use?
4) When you talk with the manager/ owner, are you given a lot of excuses? Are you getting straight answers to your questions?
5) Ask for references - vet, hoof care providers, feed store, hay dealer, and FOLLOW UP on them.
If something does not look right to you, or feel right/ safe, do yourself and your horse a favor. Keep. Looking. I promise- even in Long County GA there are barns out there who will actually take care of your horse properly.
Anyone else have suggestions? Fire away!
Just as a quick reminder: Today is the shop-a-thon for Horse World Gives Back Retail Day! OnTheBit has been doing some window shopping-- and I gotta say- those halters? OhMyGoodness I can not show one to Lutin the Pregnant Gelding. He'd *insist* on the one with royal blue lining!! Shop away folks!
Then, a couple years later, we hear about the crazy rescue "LOONIE FARMS" and what type of Hell on Earth they provided to the animals in their "care" (and I do use the term "care" loosely.)
Next thing I know, there is another news story on the airwaves about yet another horse farm. This time a boarding facility. Apparently, 18 horses (3 of which were owned by the farm) were left with out access to water, no hay and no grain.
Seriously? It's been HOT here. H-O-T. Temps in the 90's, with heat index above 100* on several days. Animal control confiscated 3 horses, returned the rest to their rightful owners. One horse, last I heard, was in critical condition.
In the news today was a very brief news bit about "Red Flag Warnings At Horse Boarding Facilities."
It listed a couple of tips, but it seemed to me like there were a whole LOT of tips left out. I understand -- most news folks are NOT horse people. It takes true horse people to do news like this justice. So, after mulling it over some today, here are a few things that might make you want to stop and reconsider where to board your horse.
1) If you pull up for a preliminary inspection of the property and are greeted with the following:
- Horses showing ribs
- Hooves untrimmed (not just hooves at the 10 week mark-- we are talking 6 months plus of growth)
- Fences falling down
- No shelter/ shelters in disrepair/ falling down shelter/ barn
GET THE HELL BACK IN YOUR CAR AND LEAVE.
2) If the above look acceptable, look at the following areas:
- Water tanks- clean? Or green and slimy? Full? Or not so much?
- Hay- smell fresh? Dusty? A type of hay you recognize?
- Feed room- grain smell fresh? Plenty on hand or cobwebs undisturbed for ages showing no one has been in there?
- Condition of stalls- clean and bedded? Safe hardware for holding buckets? No nails/ screws sticking out? Holes in walls? Loads of cobwebs?
- Barn aisle- clean, swept, easy access or dirty, crowded and hard to negotiate through?
- Clearly marked emergency instructions?
3) Find out what the facility rules are.
-Are you required to announce your visit or can you come anytime?
- Does the barn close on certain days/ at specific times?
- Do they provide scheduled de-worming?
- Are you restricted with the vet or hoof care provider you can use?
4) When you talk with the manager/ owner, are you given a lot of excuses? Are you getting straight answers to your questions?
5) Ask for references - vet, hoof care providers, feed store, hay dealer, and FOLLOW UP on them.
If something does not look right to you, or feel right/ safe, do yourself and your horse a favor. Keep. Looking. I promise- even in Long County GA there are barns out there who will actually take care of your horse properly.
Anyone else have suggestions? Fire away!
Just as a quick reminder: Today is the shop-a-thon for Horse World Gives Back Retail Day! OnTheBit has been doing some window shopping-- and I gotta say- those halters? OhMyGoodness I can not show one to Lutin the Pregnant Gelding. He'd *insist* on the one with royal blue lining!! Shop away folks!
Monday, June 6, 2011
I've Always Said...
Horse folks were a tough breed. Mother Nature has been testing us all to our limits this year. Six months into 2011, and we've faced extreme snows/ everlasting winter (just ask Bill and Juanita at Allenspark Lodge), horrible high heat and humidity on my end and tornadoes wiping out Alabama.
Horse Radio Network is kicking off a tremendous effort to help people out. A 3 hour radio-thon today, followed by a huge fundraiser tomorrow. A shop-a-thon, where the proceeds go directly to help horse owners in dire need. Now what could be better than shopping from the comfort of your own home knowing you are also helping horse folks out? Not much!
OnTheBit did a great post alerting people to the event- pop over and see what she had to say.
And Ace's Hoof Maiden, aka: Jackie, has a wonderful post up about it as well.
Be sure to tune in tonight, from 6 to 9PM (ET) for all the details.You can click into the show directly from Jackie's site- and I suggest you do! And prepare tonight to shop your heart out!!
Stay cool y'all, and please- stay safe out there.
~MM
Horse Radio Network is kicking off a tremendous effort to help people out. A 3 hour radio-thon today, followed by a huge fundraiser tomorrow. A shop-a-thon, where the proceeds go directly to help horse owners in dire need. Now what could be better than shopping from the comfort of your own home knowing you are also helping horse folks out? Not much!
OnTheBit did a great post alerting people to the event- pop over and see what she had to say.
And Ace's Hoof Maiden, aka: Jackie, has a wonderful post up about it as well.
Be sure to tune in tonight, from 6 to 9PM (ET) for all the details.You can click into the show directly from Jackie's site- and I suggest you do! And prepare tonight to shop your heart out!!
Stay cool y'all, and please- stay safe out there.
~MM
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