May 3, 2023
The ravages of Fiona will be with us at the Sanctuary for a long time. Back home from the hospital, brings the mess closer as I look out my apt window. The last few weeks have been spent on the phone, finding help with the fencing of the South Pasture. Tyson has agreed to that chore. But before that we need many trees hanging on the fences cleared. I think I have a promise of help. It would be a grand thing if we could put the herd on pasture by the first of June.
The Island Horse Council posted a notice regarding heir liability insurance. It is a must have for riders on the island, especially if you are competing or attending clinics. They now have a 3 yeas option, which will be a help. Their fiscal year is January to December. Some of us are short of funds after the holiday season. January usually calls for tight budgeting. Renewing could get forgotten and passed by if the weather isn’t wonderful for riding and the pocketbook is lean. At least that is my story.
I have a couple of springs in the winter paddock and they are springing forth. This makes for muddy footing. Therefore we keep a close watch for scratches and thrush. It is trim time again, I try to trim every 8 weeks, this time I noticed at 6 weeks a lot of growth. We have a few horses with quarter cracks (the hoof wall splits) the problem gets worse if they are not trimmed regularly. No foot, no horse is a very old truism. If there is a whiff of thrush (this is a fungus), it has its own distinctive odour, we are quick to clean the hoof and treat the frog We use a coppertox product for that.
I watched the Kentucky 3 day event on the weekend. It makes you proud that one division was won by Canadian Karl Slezak with his horse Hot Bobo. Of course I watch the horses more than the rider. Out of 140 plus dressage entries, I observed 7 horses carrying their tails to the side. This tells me the horse is having issues with their back. I hope the trainer addresses the problem with lots of massage, stretches and tail pulls. The cross country course is a series of solid jumps. A few horses got caught up in the jumps. My first thought was, “I hope they have the witch hazel at the barn”. Witch Hazel is an anticoagulant, it helps stop bruising, and that will take the hurt away. It takes far less time for a bruise to heal if you use Witch Hazel immediately. Most jumping horses wear protective boots below the knee. I noticed that when they take a jump down it is the knee and the forearm that hits the rail. It is the same with the hind end when it hits a rail, it is usually the stifle (the back knee) and the gaskin that hits the rail. Bruising makes for a sore horse, the more we can help that bruised area, the happier they will be.
Tis the season for horse shows, it is a good sport to watch, and there are no gate fees. Except for Old Home Week. To have a successful show, it takes is a lot of work by the organizing committee. Young competitors should understand that. And like any game, you need to know the rules and the protocol. The judge and the ring steward are boss, a rider should always acknowledge them as they enter the ring. Going to horse shows is a great way to learn the showing game. And if you do not compete, every organizing committee I know could use volunteers. And you will not go hungry, most shows have a canteen to raise funds. Canteens are run by volunteers too. Now that should take care of your Saturday’s entertainment. May your horse maintain good health and sound limbs for the coming season.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.