August 15, 2023
Welcome to my world, I am still at Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary. This place owns me completely. I am still working on the Fiona fencing, bless her soul. I spend too much time trying to plan ahead for the next big blow. After getting the bunkhouse back on its moorings, I think it is prudent to tie the building down. I have been given a name, I am sure his list is long for tie downs.
It is about this time that I remind people that colic season is coming up. Very important to keep a close watch, especially when we do not have a veterinarian for our area. The fall is a transition time for the horse, we go from wet green pastures to dry feeds. Hopefully it is a slow transition to prevent an impaction colic. If mother natures stops with the watering, we must continue the watering by making sure each horse get a minimum of 10 gallons per day. Everyone should be on poop patrol, observing, observing that those horse buns are moist and shiny. Gut aches are very painful, I am speaking from personal experience. So imagine how it must hurt when you have over 100 feet of intestines.
Speaking of hurting, after my fall in January, I can say that a torn hamstring and ligaments are much more painful than broken bones. I did not think that I was a wimp, but the pain of moving, reduced me to tears many a day, it was a good four weeks before the pain subsided. In the past we put horses down when they tore muscles or ligaments. How ever hard it was, it was a good thing. In my case there was not much medication that cut the pain, and the doctors were quite willing to give me the heavy meds. It made me think about how would I be able to reduce pain in a three legged horse to make it comfortable during the two or three months of healing. It would take a lot of poppy seeds.
Hay quality will not be the best this year with all the watering that mother nature has sent us. It makes me think of all the herbs that help respiratory health of the horse. My go to herbs are seaweed, comfrey, garlic, mint, mullein and honeysuckle, because they are close by for picking. Except for the garlic, I gave up growing and preparing the garlic years ago when I discovered Garlic capsules. My dried herb jars will soon be full, I like to be ready for whatever nature throws me.
Good things are coming my way, I am heading out to Coquitlam to see the grandson before school starts. For Christmas Lottie asked for a ticket for da mudder to come visit during March break. Well Prince County Hospital was my host up to that week and after as well. We scrapped that plan. I am still hobbling along, but practising climbing stairs. I did not think I could go unless I could climb 22 stairs. I am up to 17 so I am confident I will be able to do the required stairs by August 26th. I thought I might do the Grouse Mountain Zip Line. I’ll not have a worry in the world because I am leaving the care of the farm and herd in the competent hands of our barn manager Zoe Novaczek and our many barn heroes.
There are many facets to running the Sanctuary. I am very appreciative of the SKILLS and Jobs 4 Youth grants that brought me great student workers this summer. Asia, Fidel, John and Ashley did a great job working at the farm. So many varied things to do relating to agriculture, animal health, youth camp and the many tourists visiting the farm. The winter injury took the stuffing out of me. I really had to depend upon the students. The worst jobs were picking the weeds, Tansy Ragwort, Deadly Nightshade, Sweet Nettle, the wild cucumber. Just when you think you have got it all, Yogi sees another bunch to be picked. I do my best to educate. And that is a wrap for now.
Take care, be kind to one another love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.