October 18, 20023
Preparing for winter is on my mind. Facebook told me this morning that 8 years ago there was snow the 18th day of October. My journal said that on that day I was bringing in the Geraniums and the Ivy for the winter. Seems early doesn’t it? We haven’t had any frost on the hill, yet. The Eastern Seaboard is a difficult call when it comes to weather. I have seen 3 feet of snow for Halloween, then again Lottie and I went swimming at the Stanley Bridge Swimming Rock one Halloween afternoon. That reminder brought on the list. Water tubs emptied down to one winter tub with ice breaker installed. Benches moved out of the way for snow blowing. Markers placed at the lane, prepare the Farm Truck for storage and so it goes. I need to build a fence that Fiona destroyed, hopefully that gets done before October 31st, because that is the new date for knee surgery. I will leave it to Trailblazers to clear the jumps in the field and the ring. You never know when winter will arrive in full force. My usual plan for the herd is to leave them in the south pasture fields and once the grass is gone, we put round bales down there. The herd stays there until the first blizzard. This year there is a change of plan. As soon as the Barn fences are secure we will bring them to the barn and feed them here. The new date for knee surgery is Halloween. It will be a few weeks after surgery before I will be able to open gates for tractors. I am determined that there will be no falling for me this winter. I will wear my spikes and walk with poles faithfully. Hence all the organization.
Today a health alert popped up: the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in New Brunswick was confirmed on October 18th. The young horse was put down on the 11th. That was a 7 day wait before the confirmation of EEE. How many people or horses were at that farm? Perhaps now is the time to thing of Biosecurity at your farm or boarding place. This virus has a human component too (e.g fever, chills, muscle or joint aches). Do your research. Remember the 10 foot rule. If you are showing and your horse is vaccinated, give a booster shot. It will take a couple of weeks to gather immunity after a treatment. I am fairly secure at the Sanctuary, there are very few new horses these days, and I ask my barn heroes to be vigilant when they visit, if they have been to another barn. There is always something scary about, when you have horses. The Standardbred community had a huge sale in Crapaud. This brings in a lot of stock from many different places, it is a place like any show or clinic, that can share the bugs, especially if the young stock is not vaccinated. New owners will have to be vigilant and watch for any virus that may pop up. Racing careers are at stake.
Trailblazers audited a Groundworks Clinic Saturday. I feel it is important that we explore the many training techniques in our equine community, you always learn a different approach to use. You cannot go wrong, working on the ground with your young or old, horse pal. I found through the years that one very simple lesson, “to move over”, is so important, by starting with the very young you apply pressure on the barrel (the side of the horse). A gentle squeeze is all you should need for a lateral movement. Actually after 3 years of being told to move over, it is automatic with voice command. It is also a matter of safety that they respect your space. Nothing worse than having a young horse jump all over you. The mild fall weather makes for easier horse keeping for us at the Sanctuary. The longer they can stay on the pasture, the longer my hay supply will last. I do hope that everyone has secured their winter forage supply. There is a shortage of good hay this year. It is not the farmer’s fault, I blame old man weather!! He created havoc with farmers, on the east coast it was rain, out west they suffered drought.
All the best to you as you prepare for winter. Be kind and help each other when you can. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.