March 16, 2022
At this writing, Maxine is busy with our other herd “Trailblazers”. Barn 101 is the game. We have a lovely bunch of troopers, no task seems too big. The hay loft has been tidied, the escalator moved to a safer position. The loose hay has been swept out the door for later dispersal. We survived the Ides of March without any assassinations. They have great plans for the rest of Mach break. The horses are our love. I overheard the plans and there will be a dress up on St. Patrick’s. I think that will be horses as well as Trailblazers. Gracie has been the practise pony. There will be a BBQ, with Karaoke at Friday nights sleepover in the bunkhouse. At the Sanctuary we have one star camping in the field, you carry your own water. 2 star camping in the bunkhouse, there is a roof, but you still carry your own water.
Lunch time was Knotty play time. They learned the safety release knot and a square knot, next will be the Turk’s Head, Monkey’s Fist and an absolute must splicing. Knots are like shape-shifters. They can turn into other knots. Eldon will be coming by and we will measure heads for rope halters. He may be able to teach us the Fiador knot. Horse management provides a lot of good life skills. After this camp they will be able to tie you all up, with a lot of laughter and giggles.
The important thing is the skill of observation. They brought Pytor and Venka in from their paddock for a bit of love and attention. It was noticed that they immediately drank a lot of water. Why was that? When there is a 150 gallon water tub in their paddock. After an inspection they found a lot of ice, the paddock has a slope, it was nigh on impossible for them to get to the tub. The paddock is on the north side of the barn, so it will be a bit of time before the ice disappears. The Trailblazer solution was to put the old chaff on the ice to provide some traction. This will save us from fitting two ponies with traction boots or ice skates. Critical thinking is part of our program.
I use a lot of herbs for different health conditions for the horses. Obie, when he first arrived was very jaundiced. (His gums were yellow) In my knowledge this is a liver problem. I knew he was born and raised up west. So he had access to a lot of Tansy ragwort, in the field and in the hay. This herb is death on livers. He has been on a continual program of Milk Thistle capsules and is holding his own. When his urine is cloudy and very odorific, I give him a tablespoon of parsley to flush the system. Parsley is a natural diuretic. In humans the liver can regrow or regenerate itself with proper care. Not sure if this is the same with horses. Is Milk Thistle the answer? We will have to go back to Culpepper’s wisdom. I think he was the first published herbalist and illustrator of nature’s weeds, a.k.a. herbs. Obie’s teeth are worn to the gum, that means a soft diet for him to maintain his body condition. even in his old age, he is quite happy to be loved, groomed and taken for a ride. These older animals take a lot of extra care. We do our best to make them healthy and comfortable.
Health mandates are getting less and less, that makes it possible for horse shows to start again. Every competition needs help. If you would like to be part of the fun, help out as gate people, scorers, or timers. It is my hope that every association will have a volunteer orientation evening. It is always stressful organizing and running an event. There will be Western, Reining, Mini=horse, English, Jumper, Eventing, Endurance and Dressage shows this summer. I am sure the hours would count on your Education Bursary volunteer sheet. Easy way to make ten hours. Very few of us make the Olympics as riders, but if you love horses, you can learn to work with them. You can work as stewards, ringmasters, ring crews learn how to set up jumps, be a jump judge (for eventing), just being an Errand Doer is always a great help. As always the more people. the merrier and smoother the event will proceed. And that is the wrap for this time.
Be kind to each other. Love and hugs Yogi and the herd.