July 29, 2021
I am not sure what weather stats are for July. It seemed to be very humid, wet on some days, it was not the best for hay making. And it still isn’t. I am most grateful to have the loft full of squares. There is still lots to do inside on the miserable damp days. Cobwebs disappear in the barn, tack gets sorted and organized. The Bunkhouse has been the largest project of all. My student crew have been painting. The outside painted on the dry days. This inside has been done on the damp days. 1 base coat and 2 top coats. So glad Sherwin Williams was generous with the gallons. Amateur painters seem to get a lot on themselves and many days have left a trail of paint behind them. Maxine and I just smile!!!
Finally, Tony Llama has been released from 2 years of fleece. Amber Peters was able to fit him into her busy schedule. My regular Nova Scotia based shearer was not able to come because of Covid restrictions. Shearers are not considered essential workers.
The students have spent a lot of time picking Plantain leaves. They are swabbing every horse that comes into the barn. The herd has been well chewed with fly bites. They itch, they rub against the trees. Much hair is lost. It is interesting that the ones that are fed Garlic for respiratory issues, are the lucky ones and do not have so many bites. Next spring I plan on starting them all on garlic tabs. I think I will start in late April. They will get 6 tabs 500mg, which will be 3000mg daily.
Flies don’t bother with me, so the garlic must help. I take garlic for blood pressure issues. I do have a problem with mosquitoes. I was hoping the fish would eliminate any larvae in the pond. We have a few barrels of standing water, I make a habit of stirring the water up when I go by.
Leg protection has changed through the years. We used to deal with leather boots and many buckles, now they are of a synthetic material and lots of Velcro. I spoke earlier about the synthetic boots inability to breath, hence the leg heats up. So the latest design is open in the front, I suppose they think this will cool the leg. These boots will protect the flexor tendon, but very few horses over reach. And if they are jumping it is the front of the leg that hits the pole. Along the front of the leg is the common digital tendon (it reaches the digits which are the bones in the foot, like our toes, and the Medial (middle) extensor tendon. In my mind these important tendons are not protected and velcro will irritates the front of the cannon bone and if they are very tight will impede circulation to the foot. I still think the old style boots will give more protection to the front and back. Just remember to cool the leg after you remove the synthetic boots. I am trying to explain all this from the picture in my mind from all my anatomy lessons. Trying to describe that picture is difficult. All you techies can find the anatomy of the leg and the foot on line. To do the best we can for our horses, knowing the anatomy and physiology is just the first step to keep them sound of limb.
Joe’s seaweed is winning again. Helena was checking out products to reduce plaque for the dogs. Every product had seaweed as the main ingredient. The news is not only is it doing the job, it is also improving her border collies coats, adding lots of sheen. The seaweed is full of important B vitamins for skin health, 60 amino acids as well. It has certainly helped the ancients in our herd and now we know it can help dogs too. Yes Yes, I drink seaweed tea and eat a lot of Dulce as well. I distribute Joe’s Seaweed, also known as North Atlantic Organics, I will share the joy with you.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.