August 1, 2024
Yogi is on the Tansy Mission Again. TANSY RAGWORT is in flower. Please pick it and destroy before it goes to seed. WE MUST rid the island of this toxic nightshade plant. Do not put it in compost If it sits for a day it goes to seed, every leaf will germinate a plant. It should be burned. Put it in the black bin. Waste watch does not need it in its compost planting. Also this is the abortion herb. I would bet my last dollar (all I have at the moment) that 90% of the time if your mare, cow, sheep or goat aborts. You will find Tansy in the field and in the hay. The crown of the plant has many daisy like flowers. Each flower will produce an estimated 1600 seeds. Be vigilant. You seldom see it out west, because the law in the western provinces to have it destroyed before the end of June. I also have a war on wild cucumber, it can be so invasive, it will smother all the new seedlings returning after Fiona knockdown. It is quite easy to pull and composts well. Pick it before it goes to seed.
I am lucky to have a crew to pick herbs for my winter management. Our go to herbs are Plantain, Comfrey, Eye Bright, and Honeysuckle for now. Broadleaf Plantain is our go to herb to decrease inflammation, accelerate wound healing, and give relief from bug bites. I make a tea (two cups fresh leaves makes a gallon of tea (one cup dried makes the same gallon) we sponge copious amounts on wounds especially on their chests, under the belly, around udders and sheaths. It also can be used internally for respiratory problems and coughs, although I depend more on the seaweed and honeysuckle leaves for that. Eye Bright tea is a good wash for the eyes if they have been attacked by the bugs. Comfrey is also known the Knit Bone herb. It will heal injured bones quickly. A poultice also soothes bruises. Dried Honeysuckle leaves and flowers help horses with respiratory ailments. My Witch Hazel bushes are flourishing, it is the root that has the most healing qualities. Big job to harvest the roots to dry, to make a tea, I will continue to buy it in gallon jugs. The herd gets a generous feed of Joe’s Seaweed. It has many vitamins and minerals to help livestock. It improves foot health, stimulates the Thyroid, calms nervous horses, increases fertility. It is anti-rheumatic, anti-ulcer, anti inflammatory, and improves skin and coat condition. And of course it is widely touted that the G.I. system produces less methane when fed to livestock. There are many good products on the market from natural sources, I just have a meagre pocketbook, so use the many herbs growing wild in the barnyard.
It has been a lovely summer so far welcoming visitors to the Sanctuary. I take them in the Farm Truck to visit the herd. Then a bouncy ride in the back to the top of the hill. It never ceases to amaze visitors and myself to have such a lovely part of the island scenery in the front yard. Living at the top of a hill has its advantages when it comes to wonderful views. Friends of the Sanctuary come from around the world it seems. Jamaicans, Belgium, Germany, Demark and Ireland this summer, and a place closer to home, Monctonians.
Zoe is making an amazing recovery and continues to lead the Trailblazer youth in their quest for horse knowledge. Riding does happen at the Sanctuary and today the newbies did a good session of bareback riding the ring. Zoe has offered them a sleep over, the bunkhouse is full tonight. Tonight the agenda will be to view the jumping at the Olympics. They will sleep well. Thanks to all the parents that organized lunches and snacks. On these sleepovers, Zoe does pancakes in the morning. It will be a feast with Raspberries, Blueberries and Strawberry jam (made by Iris), smothered in Maple Syrup. Oh my hips, my hips. It is wonderful to have this group at the barn, they are barn heroes in training, I know when I call for help, I can count on them to know the routine, and be able to handle the horses in their straight stalls. I do make it easy for cleanup. The Sanctuary has a Ralco barn chain, we rake the horse buns in the group, turn on the switch and off it goes outside to the heap. All the best to the horse show community this summer. The weather has been grand. You can always volunteer at a show to get the best ringside view. Forward the kindness. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.