September 15, 2022
It was said by Frank Baum that “No thief however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire”. I have found that life is a continuing learning experience. Especially with horses. Injured Art has certainly been a learning experience in healing. His wound was cleaned and treated twice a day for 5 weeks, we are coming into the sixth week and only treating once a day. There seems to be very little proud flesh forming, but it is early days yet. I put quite a bit of lavender oil in the salve to deter the flies. I am happy that the cooler temperatures will limit their attraction to the horses. I notice the bot flies have had a busy season, lots of eggs on their legs. I am waiting for the first hard frost to kill the pesky beggars and then I will deworm the herd with a boticide dewormer guaranteed to kill the larvae sitting in their guts and planning to eat all my hard earned dollars. Be gone the pesky parasites say I. My trusty neighbour with the green machine put out the first round bales in the field for the fall. This is colic season, do watch closely as we transition the horses from the moist pasture to dry forage and feed. Make sure they have access to lots of water. Soak any pellets you feed, add extra salt, feed roots, (carrots or potatoes are 90% water). I have to be very careful of the oldies in the Sanctuary care. Their teeth are questionable in the ability to grind their feed. I have been feeding rolled oats to them. But it is a question of economy in the fact that perhaps if I soak the whole oats (at a lesser cost) they may be able to process them too. So now I am soaking whole oats and observing how many if any arrive at the back end of the straight stall. This makes me a crap or crappy observer, take your pick. I do know the crappy side of things.
Next week the AVC students will be coming to practise dentistry on the herd. Of course they practise the Gold Standard of Medicine. Their first question when they observe some of the oldies mouths: “Why are you keeping them?” When I cannot keep them comfortable, then that is the time I have to make hard decisions. Although with the price of feed supplies rising to the extreme, I am the one with the uncomfortable pocketbook. My forage is in the yard and in the barn. It is the cost of supplements and soft feed that has tripled in costs.
I always go with the flow. Maxine needs more time to travel. Covid has kept both of us glued to the farm. Management will now be shared with Yogi and Zoe Novaczek (still a Trailblazer). And I will be around anyway to sort out the bills. Now that I do not have a dog to worry about, maybe I will get a chance to travel too, later this fall. September has brought changes to our programs. Maxine is the leader of our youth programs. The “Smalls Program” for children age 6 to 9 yrs. Is on Sunday Afternoon 2.30-330pm.. An introductory program to learn about horse care and management. Even on rainy days we still work with the horses. There is no charge for this program but we do ask for a small donation towards Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary, this program is leading up to our more intensive Trailblazers Program that is for children 10 yrs and older, you are welcome to come along any Sunday to see what we do and join in if you wish. Trailblazers will be on Saturdays 9.30am – 2.30pm This is a more intensive program in the care of the herd. Activities including grooming, tacking/un-tacking, riding in our arena (weather permitting), after care of their horse once they have ridden including stretching, applying liniment , hoof oil, returning their horse to the paddock, mucking out and a quick sweep of the barn, cold weather/rainy days learning how to apply leg bandages, care of tack and maintenance of the barn facilities ( checking gates and fences). My mission with the Sanctuary has been pointed to the safe care and maintenance of horses and ponies. The more we learn about basic care, I am hoping there will be less animals that need to be rescued and more horses will remain sound. I try to provide the experience of horses with little cost to the student. The directors tell me that I should ask for a donation to help out with the cost of maintaining the Sanctuary.
Take care of one another love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.