At the farm I am taking a chance and challenging the fact that spring was supposed to officially be here March 20th. We all know how wrong that was. Today we removed the de-icer from the outside water tub. Tomorrow we will place the float in the tub with the automatic filler upper. This will eliminate the wonderful chore of dragging the hose from the barn pump room through the west door to fill the tub. The negative to this change is we have to find another exercise replacement for Yogi’s keep fit gym. We will have to trust that they are drinking enough water. Right now, by having to fill the tub manually we can assess their intake. I always hope for 10 gallons per horse per day. That is my rule of thumb.
It is spring! I spied my first barn fly.
Tomorrow I will implement the grandfather technique. I will be filling my yellow lid coffee tins with sugar water. There are holes in the lid and the flies seek the sweetness and hit the water. His theory then: every fly you destroy in the early spring eliminates 16 thousand from that time on. Flies lay a lot of eggs in their short time of living. Very soon we will be hanging a fly sticker tape in each stall and placing geraniums beside the front door. This is pest management at its finest.
Do check out our really successful Health Clinic video.
The students did a full body and health assessment. Everyone was listening for heart murmurs, lung crackles and gut rumbles, learning how to use a stethoscope and discovering the second eyelid. The students completed the spring deworming ritual, begone those parasites. My rule of thumb for deworming is; twice a year whether they need it or not. Some may be heavier carriers, and need an extra treatment, you can always do a fecal sampling, but knowing your animal intimately helps. You check the quality of manure, or the quality of coat, it should shine all the time. A healthy horse does not need a brushing to keep their coat gleaming. The herd was vaccinated for Encephalomyelitis, Influenza and Tetanus all in one shot. There is a 5-way vaccine that covers a few more evils that seem to be lurking about these days. We do the minimum, because we are not travelling to races or shows and our barn heroes are not often in contact with sick horses. Yes, it is true you can carry a virus on your clothes with just one snort from an infected horse. There is a 10-foot rule that is very difficult to follow, most barns only have a 10-foot-wide shed row and stalls are next to each other. Be mindful of those two factors and keep your distance.
Next on the agenda for us. We have to find Prince’s boot; we should have installed the trackers before we put them on.
Teams of 2 – 4 folks have not found it yet. Perhaps we need to gather a team of 20 for the next search. Heck it is only 25 acres to cover. And on the other hand there is the very best news:
I have been gifted CSJ positions for the summer.
I offer the very best of internships, whether your interest is horses, agriculture, forestry or tourism, or just getting a paycheque, you will gain great experience working at the Sanctuary.
Send us your resume at handibearhills@gmail.com. I am surrounded by kindness, I pass it on by sharing the herd and the chores.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.
