July 25, 2022
Sunny and warm days have been the norm for the last few weeks. We can’t stop for the rain and it appears we keep on trucking in the heat. I am in awe of my student crew. They kept picking Tansy Ragwort in the barn field. They did not give up in spite of the heat. Only good thing about the job, we had a decent breeze on the hill. Tansy is in bloom now. PLEASE pick and destroy it before it goes to seed. Do not let one seed get into a hay field. It is my yearly mission and duty to nag to everyone to remove the Tansy. It’s danger is cumulative and your horse will have liver problems after a couple of years. The mares will abort and you do not need that.
Every Tuesday of July we have been hosting the AVC vet camp. About 60 people land in the big yellow school buses every time. It has been great to be able to host these young wannabees (want to be Vets) they are eager for information about the horses. It is important they know that there are places where horses can go for a second life. It is also important that they know the cost of maintaining such a place. There are so many horses needing homes right now. I get requests every week. The cost of feed is becoming a daunting factor in keeping horses. I know we are going to have to make difficult decisions this fall with our oldies. Special feed costs have gone out the roof. Damn the carbon tax, the fuel surtax that is imposed on all our animal feed and on our food as well. Our politicians are so short sighted. I cannot see farm machinery going electric, they would miss the best weather charging up. With all these taxes to get people to go Electric is not helping us live in the present. On the bright side, as we freeze and starve there will be less people on the planet. That will be a less burden on the climate situation I am sure.
On to the better things at the Sanctuary: Maxine and I are really pleased with our student employees. In three weeks they have become leaders, they have gained confidence working with the herd, and becoming creative working with our young campers, their attention to detail has improved every day. As a non-profit, in the hole, horse sanctuary, it is wonderful to have the funding supplied for summer help.
My entertainment centre is a feeder tree on my deck. The only things hanging are suet and the hummingbird feeding stations. The suet is for the downy woodpeckers, there are four that visit regularly, although the blue jays do their best to upset the applecart. The hummers are many, but the feeders also attract the wasps, my question to them. Why are you not out pollinating?? They are a bit of a bother to me, I am deathly allergic to their sting, and I would like to sit out there without them buzzing about.
Usually when the flies are really awful, the herd will head for the trees. It does not appear to be happening this past week. But there is the biting evidence. Especially on their chests and under their jowls. Their bellies are also a target place. The garlic seems to have helped a lot. All the herd gets 6 500mg capsules a day. We still sponge them down with Plantain tea to take the itch away and then spray them with Apple Cider Vinegar. We do the best we can with our resources. There has been a couple cases of scratches on the back of the pasterns. This is unusual during dry weather times. That is treated with a bit of Ivomec mixed with olive oil or baby oil. This takes care of any mites that decide to cause problems. I am forever grateful to Dr. Erwin Howatt telling me that the major cause of scratches is mites and that was 30 years ago. We are ever vigilant with examinations. The important part of horse keeping is the examination with bare hands. You need to know the normal of every horse. Then when the abnormal appears it can be assessed, recorded and treated if necessary.
Until the next issue, do enjoy the summer, be kind and helpful. Love and hugs from Yogi and the hers.