Recently I was reading through the Holistic Horse e-newsletter, available from www.holistichorse.com, a very useful and informative site. The newsletter included the following oh-so-simple tip if your horse isn't drinking enough in hot summer weather, or perhaps has gotten picky about the water if you're shipping: Dip a peppermint candy in the water or swish a peppermint tea bag around for a few minutes to let the flavor permeate the water!
I read that tip and had one of those "Why didn't I think of that?" moments -- especially remembering our shows at the fairgrounds in Addison County, where Dude and Bestie invariably wouldn't drink the water, and I'd end up driving back and forth to the closest grocery in Vergennes and buying out their supply of gallon spring water jugs. At the time, someone suggested putting a little apple juice in the water; amazingly, that didn't fool the ponies. But they LOVED the oh so yummy and fresh $2 a gallon spring water!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Hooves and more
Seems with horses that there's always something to obsess over...
I've been looking at Dude and Bestie's hooves a lot in the last week or so. I mean, I look at them every day and pick them out, but especially in the last few days I've been looking at them and anxiously awaiting the farrier's visit. Dude's are a mess; there's no two ways about it. I think they got really messy during the stretch of about a week and a half that he was being hosed every day to bring down the swelling from the cellulitis, and standing in his stall, and when he did get to go out, going out into the wet mucky paddocks after all the rain we've had this summer. In the last couple of weeks we've been picking them out with more attention and also scrubbing the crevices every few days with a Betadine/water solution. His frogs are looking a bit better, but his hooves have gotten really long, and in the case of his back feet, a bit splayed out.
Bestie's hooves look better, but have gotten really jagged around the edges. I think that the weather may have soften them up, and perhaps they've gotten a little torn up and soft. Hers also look a bit splayed out. She doesn't wear shoes, and normally her feet stay in pretty good shape. But I think the weather this summer has been a little hard on them. It'll be interesting to ask Scott what he's seen with other horses this summer when he comes for their appointment this Friday. He's always got an interesting story. Or two, or three!
I've done really well riding Bestie over the last week, but this week hasn't been good. Katie took her car to go visit a friend out of state, so we've had to figure out accommodating my work schedule and Maddie's with only two cars. I've picked her up for two days, and then we've gone to the barn, but have arrived late after the horses have gotten their grain. And today was just plain hot. My heart was not in going for a ride.
Both days our drill was that Maddie would take a horse out to graze, and I would do that horse's stall. Today, the second day, Dude and Bestie clearly had the schedule down pat! As soon as we arrived Dude started looking expectant and pushing at his stall guard, and Bestie started pawing and whinnying with great intent at us. Usually when we get there after they eat, they're perfectly happy to poke at their hay while we clean the stalls. Clearly they like this new (but shortlived) routine of getting additional time on grass!
I've been looking at Dude and Bestie's hooves a lot in the last week or so. I mean, I look at them every day and pick them out, but especially in the last few days I've been looking at them and anxiously awaiting the farrier's visit. Dude's are a mess; there's no two ways about it. I think they got really messy during the stretch of about a week and a half that he was being hosed every day to bring down the swelling from the cellulitis, and standing in his stall, and when he did get to go out, going out into the wet mucky paddocks after all the rain we've had this summer. In the last couple of weeks we've been picking them out with more attention and also scrubbing the crevices every few days with a Betadine/water solution. His frogs are looking a bit better, but his hooves have gotten really long, and in the case of his back feet, a bit splayed out.
Bestie's hooves look better, but have gotten really jagged around the edges. I think that the weather may have soften them up, and perhaps they've gotten a little torn up and soft. Hers also look a bit splayed out. She doesn't wear shoes, and normally her feet stay in pretty good shape. But I think the weather this summer has been a little hard on them. It'll be interesting to ask Scott what he's seen with other horses this summer when he comes for their appointment this Friday. He's always got an interesting story. Or two, or three!
I've done really well riding Bestie over the last week, but this week hasn't been good. Katie took her car to go visit a friend out of state, so we've had to figure out accommodating my work schedule and Maddie's with only two cars. I've picked her up for two days, and then we've gone to the barn, but have arrived late after the horses have gotten their grain. And today was just plain hot. My heart was not in going for a ride.
Both days our drill was that Maddie would take a horse out to graze, and I would do that horse's stall. Today, the second day, Dude and Bestie clearly had the schedule down pat! As soon as we arrived Dude started looking expectant and pushing at his stall guard, and Bestie started pawing and whinnying with great intent at us. Usually when we get there after they eat, they're perfectly happy to poke at their hay while we clean the stalls. Clearly they like this new (but shortlived) routine of getting additional time on grass!
Monday, July 20, 2009
A bit of news on a local therapeutic riding program
I was interested to learn recently that at Smugglers' Notch Resort (where I work), the adaptive program director has added horseback riding to the curriculum for the kids who visit Smugglers' for a vacation with their families in the summer. This new initiative adds a new and exciting dimension to the Resort's program, called SNAP (Smugglers' Notch Adaptive Program). Alisa Anderson, SNAP's program director, had prior experience with a therapeutic riding program and wanted to give it a go at Smuggs.
Alisa's research at the Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program (called CHAMP) based at Good Hope Farm in South Hero, Vermont convinced her that this program was a good fit with SNAP. The instructors at CHAMP and the center itself are certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA).
Six children can attend each session, three riding at one time for 45 minutes. Each rider is aided by an instructor, a person who leads the horse, and two side-walkers. The children learn to steer the horse with the reins at walk and trot according to their ability and comfort level.
While the kids in the group are waiting their turn to ride, aides show them how to use the grooming tools and apply the strokes. The horses used for the therapeutic program are specially chosen for their gentleness. It sounds like a great opportunity for children in the SNAP program at Smugglers' as well as anyone locally who would like to take advantage of CHAMP's services or offer their own services as a volunteer. The website is www.vtchamp.org.
It seems there's been quite a bit written recently about horse therapy for children with autism; in fact, I just read a review of a book entitled "The Horse Boy," chronicling a father's story about the effect interaction with horses had on his son's autism.
Alisa's research at the Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program (called CHAMP) based at Good Hope Farm in South Hero, Vermont convinced her that this program was a good fit with SNAP. The instructors at CHAMP and the center itself are certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA).
Six children can attend each session, three riding at one time for 45 minutes. Each rider is aided by an instructor, a person who leads the horse, and two side-walkers. The children learn to steer the horse with the reins at walk and trot according to their ability and comfort level.
While the kids in the group are waiting their turn to ride, aides show them how to use the grooming tools and apply the strokes. The horses used for the therapeutic program are specially chosen for their gentleness. It sounds like a great opportunity for children in the SNAP program at Smugglers' as well as anyone locally who would like to take advantage of CHAMP's services or offer their own services as a volunteer. The website is www.vtchamp.org.
It seems there's been quite a bit written recently about horse therapy for children with autism; in fact, I just read a review of a book entitled "The Horse Boy," chronicling a father's story about the effect interaction with horses had on his son's autism.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I lovvvvve a nice quiet afternoon at the barn
Some days I go to the barn and it seems like all the planets align. The planets, in this case, are usually the weather, the level of activity in the barn, my mood, and the horses' moods. Today: sunny weather by the time I got to the barn; quiet barn because several boarders were away at a show; I felt happy due to the sunny weather; and the horses were happy too. Not sure why. Maybe it was the sugar cubes I promptly gave each of them upon arrival.
Need to remember to call HorseTech on Monday morning; I tried ordering online but couldn't find the Glanzen GL Lite on the site. Dude and Bestie have each got enough to last through Friday.
Dude and his afternoon cohorts had their turnout shortened because there was a fairly heavy early afternoon downpour that looked like it might turn into a thunderstorm. I'm always grateful for the consideration shown by whoever brings them in, because Dude is a weenie and tends to run at the slightest provocation. I think it has something to do with being in a field by himself; he was never such a weenie when he was in group turnout.
Since he had come in early, I took him out for 20 minutes or so of handgrazing. I put his fly mask on and off we went. It was great for about 10 minutes, then the biting flies found us. We stayed out for about 10 more minutes and then he and I both lost it at about the same time. I can't stand it when they start landing on ME, so I was totally sympathetic when he made a move to the barn door.
Then I took Bestie out and handgrazed her while I curried her. She was a mess, and I bet she had rolled in the wet spot in her field in an attempt to deter the flies. After she was presentable I brought her in and saddled her up. She put up a token show of resistance, going to the back of her stall and then turning her head to peer at me to see what I'd do. It makes me laugh when she does that. We had a nice little ride in the indoor, then went out and around the field a couple of times. The breeze had picked up so the bugs weren't as bad. It was really pleasant ambling along and I saw three bluebirds--a first for me at the barn.
Bestie was kind of gassy when we were still in the indoor. The barn had gotten a load of new green hay so that may have had something to do with it. I ended up cutting both her and Dude's dinner hay with some old hay that we still had in the loft just to reduce the richness somewhat. Dude had some problems last year when we got the first load of new hay, so I thought I'd better play it safe and mix it.
They both looked really shiny and beautiful by the time I left, which will last only as long until tomorrow's turnout. Oh well.
Need to remember to call HorseTech on Monday morning; I tried ordering online but couldn't find the Glanzen GL Lite on the site. Dude and Bestie have each got enough to last through Friday.
Dude and his afternoon cohorts had their turnout shortened because there was a fairly heavy early afternoon downpour that looked like it might turn into a thunderstorm. I'm always grateful for the consideration shown by whoever brings them in, because Dude is a weenie and tends to run at the slightest provocation. I think it has something to do with being in a field by himself; he was never such a weenie when he was in group turnout.
Since he had come in early, I took him out for 20 minutes or so of handgrazing. I put his fly mask on and off we went. It was great for about 10 minutes, then the biting flies found us. We stayed out for about 10 more minutes and then he and I both lost it at about the same time. I can't stand it when they start landing on ME, so I was totally sympathetic when he made a move to the barn door.
Then I took Bestie out and handgrazed her while I curried her. She was a mess, and I bet she had rolled in the wet spot in her field in an attempt to deter the flies. After she was presentable I brought her in and saddled her up. She put up a token show of resistance, going to the back of her stall and then turning her head to peer at me to see what I'd do. It makes me laugh when she does that. We had a nice little ride in the indoor, then went out and around the field a couple of times. The breeze had picked up so the bugs weren't as bad. It was really pleasant ambling along and I saw three bluebirds--a first for me at the barn.
Bestie was kind of gassy when we were still in the indoor. The barn had gotten a load of new green hay so that may have had something to do with it. I ended up cutting both her and Dude's dinner hay with some old hay that we still had in the loft just to reduce the richness somewhat. Dude had some problems last year when we got the first load of new hay, so I thought I'd better play it safe and mix it.
They both looked really shiny and beautiful by the time I left, which will last only as long until tomorrow's turnout. Oh well.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Bestie walks out
Back from a few days enjoying the Maine coast in Boothbay Harbor. Anyone looking for a vacation: I highly recommened the Spruce Point Inn. Beautiful location on the point just across the bay from Boothbay, lovely accommodations, a heated and an oceanwater pool, hot tubs, spa services, very nice staff, gorgeous area to walk or bike around, delicious food in the restaurant! Bikes and kayaks included in the lodging. In the restaurant, yummy French toast, to-die-for blueberry pie, very light and tasty scallop roll. Lots of lounge chairs, Adirondack chairs and hammocks to park yourself in. I could go on and on!
But, on to the ponies... We got home from ME around 6 and the kids were busy so I ran over to the barn to say hello to Dude and Bestie. They were of course happy to see me, not because they missed me over the four days I was gone, but because they were out of hay and it was too early for the night flakes to be distributed. I opened their doors and put their stall guards up, and as I was mucking Dude's stall, I heard a funny noise, but didn't think too much of it until I heard hooves going down the barn aisle. Bestie apparently had leaned against the stall guard and popped one screw eye right out of the doorframe, most likely leaning out trying to get her night flake. There was one person in the indoor riding, so I shouted "loose horse" then ran to get a bucket of grain. My last glimpse of Bestie was of her prancing though the indoor with her tail up in the air, clearly pretty pleased with herself.
It's always funny to me how the horses start whinnying throughout the barn when there's an escapee. It's like they're sounding the alarm or spreading the word. "Hey, the black mare is out!" "Where'd she go?" "I don't know, I can't see down the aisle! Darn these stall bars!"
I ran out the back door with a handful of grain in a bucket and walked right up to her. She was happily grazing about 15 feet from the indoor and never even moved as I walked up and slipped the halter over her head. Then she docilely followed me back into the barn. Adventure over. I could hear Dude snorting and whinnying, but he stopped once he realized she was back. Whew. No other excitement, except barn owner Lisa's daughter came over to investigate. Hands on her hips, "Well, HOW did this happen? Where were YOU?" Nothing like being given the business by a kid half your size and I have to give her credit: she is a pro :).
But, on to the ponies... We got home from ME around 6 and the kids were busy so I ran over to the barn to say hello to Dude and Bestie. They were of course happy to see me, not because they missed me over the four days I was gone, but because they were out of hay and it was too early for the night flakes to be distributed. I opened their doors and put their stall guards up, and as I was mucking Dude's stall, I heard a funny noise, but didn't think too much of it until I heard hooves going down the barn aisle. Bestie apparently had leaned against the stall guard and popped one screw eye right out of the doorframe, most likely leaning out trying to get her night flake. There was one person in the indoor riding, so I shouted "loose horse" then ran to get a bucket of grain. My last glimpse of Bestie was of her prancing though the indoor with her tail up in the air, clearly pretty pleased with herself.
It's always funny to me how the horses start whinnying throughout the barn when there's an escapee. It's like they're sounding the alarm or spreading the word. "Hey, the black mare is out!" "Where'd she go?" "I don't know, I can't see down the aisle! Darn these stall bars!"
I ran out the back door with a handful of grain in a bucket and walked right up to her. She was happily grazing about 15 feet from the indoor and never even moved as I walked up and slipped the halter over her head. Then she docilely followed me back into the barn. Adventure over. I could hear Dude snorting and whinnying, but he stopped once he realized she was back. Whew. No other excitement, except barn owner Lisa's daughter came over to investigate. Hands on her hips, "Well, HOW did this happen? Where were YOU?" Nothing like being given the business by a kid half your size and I have to give her credit: she is a pro :).
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
On the 4th of July I always take a moment to remember Dude and Bestie's inauspicious participation in the local 4th of July parade. It's been a couple of years now. We were told by my co-leader in 4H, "Oh, do it! It's a lot of fun! Willow (her daughter's horse) has done it with Molly for years!" So we get to the barn early and get them all cleaned up. The girls have their show clothes on. The plan was to have the two Western riders flanking Mads on Bestie. Well, Dude never even made it to the intersection of the main road with the road the barn is on. He took one look at the hordes of people with BALLOONS, and STROLLERS, and STREAMERS and started spinning and backing. Katie did her best to urge him forward, but he was having NOTHING to do with it and made a total spectacle of himself. It was like a side show for all the people lined up waiting for the parade. He went back to the barn.
Bestie and Willow went on down to the staging area. Everything was ok. Bestie was sort of taking the measure of all the activity, but she was fine. Amazing, considering there were bands on floats, people in costumes on floats, people waving banners, kids tearing around, a loudspeaker that would crackle and pop ... you get the picture. In retrospect, I truly think that everything would've been fine except that we were camped out in the staging area for a REALLY LONG TIME. The temperature kept climbing, and once Maddie started to sweat, she got cranky. Then Bestie got cranky.
When we finally started to move, it was at a snail's pace. Not a horse's pace. I could tell it was excruciating for Bestie not to be able to step out. Once we got on the main road, it became pretty clear that she wasn't going to be able to last through the whole route. We decided that Maddie and Bestie would peel off once we got to the turn for our road, not that far away. I could see that she was making a huge effort to keep herself together. Maddie was patting her and trying to keep her calm, but it was only a matter of time before it all fell apart.
Right as we got to our road, where we'd decided to turn off, all hell broke loose. A guy dressed in a Chewbacca costume on the float ahead of us jumped off and started throwing candy. As if that weren't enough, he came up along Bestie in his furry suit, and started throwing the candy under her belly to the people on the other side of the road. That was it. Bestie's eyes rolled, she started prancing, and Maddie turned her to get her onto the side road. But there were people in lawn chairs blocking the road. I think I went a little bit crazy. I started yelling, "Move your chairs! Horse coming through!" like a nut, over and over. They all moved, pretty darn quick. Maddie trotted Bestie through the break in the crowd and back they went to the barn. I watched them trotting down the road and felt drained. Sometimes you have to apologize to your horse and this was definitely one of those times.
The next day I opened the newspaper fearfully, expecting a photo with the caption "Mad woman terrifies parade goers." But no. Thank goodness. Now every 4th, we're like, "Remember the parade?"
Bestie and Willow went on down to the staging area. Everything was ok. Bestie was sort of taking the measure of all the activity, but she was fine. Amazing, considering there were bands on floats, people in costumes on floats, people waving banners, kids tearing around, a loudspeaker that would crackle and pop ... you get the picture. In retrospect, I truly think that everything would've been fine except that we were camped out in the staging area for a REALLY LONG TIME. The temperature kept climbing, and once Maddie started to sweat, she got cranky. Then Bestie got cranky.
When we finally started to move, it was at a snail's pace. Not a horse's pace. I could tell it was excruciating for Bestie not to be able to step out. Once we got on the main road, it became pretty clear that she wasn't going to be able to last through the whole route. We decided that Maddie and Bestie would peel off once we got to the turn for our road, not that far away. I could see that she was making a huge effort to keep herself together. Maddie was patting her and trying to keep her calm, but it was only a matter of time before it all fell apart.
Right as we got to our road, where we'd decided to turn off, all hell broke loose. A guy dressed in a Chewbacca costume on the float ahead of us jumped off and started throwing candy. As if that weren't enough, he came up along Bestie in his furry suit, and started throwing the candy under her belly to the people on the other side of the road. That was it. Bestie's eyes rolled, she started prancing, and Maddie turned her to get her onto the side road. But there were people in lawn chairs blocking the road. I think I went a little bit crazy. I started yelling, "Move your chairs! Horse coming through!" like a nut, over and over. They all moved, pretty darn quick. Maddie trotted Bestie through the break in the crowd and back they went to the barn. I watched them trotting down the road and felt drained. Sometimes you have to apologize to your horse and this was definitely one of those times.
The next day I opened the newspaper fearfully, expecting a photo with the caption "Mad woman terrifies parade goers." But no. Thank goodness. Now every 4th, we're like, "Remember the parade?"
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