February 28, 2025
February is leaving, will March come in like a lamb or a lion. I grew up with a family that had extensive knowledge of animals, horses in particular, they believed in a gentle but firm hand. Scholars of Greek and Latin, Xenophon was the written word in their time. Xenophon (430-354BC) was a Greek military leader, mercenary, philosopher, historian and a writer. He wrote “The Art of Horsemanship”. Although it was written to be applied to cavalry horses, much of what Xenophon writes is still applicable to modern horses. Some of it is questionable, but keep in mind this was written when horses were work animals, not the recreation animals they are today. In war, their training could mean the difference between life and death.
Xenophon’s “The Art of Horsemanship” has been translated many times, a small book that can be found on line. So many truths, he says we must be a partner with the horse. His advice with young horses. “We shall take care not to vex the young horse, or cause it to abandon its affable gracefulness in disgust. For this is like the fragrance of blossoms, which never returns, once it has vanished”.
At home every animal had a purpose and that is much the same at the Sanctuary. I have an extraordinary flock of cats. Small but mighty. They have free choice food and water, in the winter that gift brings a few strays to the barn. It appeared to me that the cat kibble was disappearing quickly. It is not cheap to care for a flock of cats. Almost $800 including HST last year, which is double the cost a few years ago when there were more cats. I was wondering who else I was feeding.
I have wonderful barn heroes, Eric and Grace bought a monitor so I could discover the culprit. My first thoughts were squirrels, but it is a black cat, gender unknown. I was hoping it was a female, we need an increase for the aging flock. But I fear not, it has been in the loft long after the gestation period of a cat, which I believe it is 65 days.
I do have mice in the barn, see one and you have 10. Most mornings there are gifts outside the door, I look down before I step over the threshold. Tiggy is an on again, off again house cat and does some of her hunting in the apt. A very early Monday morning, I woke to a jumping pouncing cat on the bed. Her victim was a mouse. So glad it was deceased. It was a rude awakening, I got up and disappeared the carcass. Of course she expected high praise and a treat. I complied. It probably is not the last mouse in the apartment, but I think I will let Tiggy out to the barn for the night in the future.
Cats are hunters and essential to any barn, our maintenance is food and regular deworming, especially tapeworms and that cost has escalated, BC (before Covid) a tablet was $1 now it is $10. We deworm regularly for Strongyles and tapeworms as needed when visible in their turds. Another management skill?? I have two lobster totes as litter boxes, one in the loft and one in the workshop. I do not want turds in the hay. The flock are very good about using the litter totes. We scoop out every morning, to deter the dogs from snacking. I do not use clumping litter. Our cats are outside hunters too and if their feet are wet, the clumping litter can be a problem. They clean their feet and it will clump in their stomachs, it will cause an obstruction and Senna will not clear it out. I learned by sad experience, when the clumping litter came on the market. Experience is a great educator. It is becoming a chore to find simple litter without chemicals.
I know spring is coming and I am taking stock of the herbs on hand. I have to make sure my patch of natural Yarrow is vigorous this year. The flowers are great for external wounds, and abscesses, crushing the flowers and applying it to a fresh wound will staunch bleeding. A couple of handfuls of Yarrow leaves and flowers in 1 ½ pints of water treats fevers, you give a cupful morning and night. This takes time, so when I have the money we use Bute (horse aspirin) to reduce temperatures and inflammation.
Yesterday I slipped the geraniums, this is a great fly deterrent when planted in the barnyard tubs. At home everyone had a tub of geraniums by the door for that very reason. My mother geranium plant was brought from Boston to Belfast, PEI in 1929, by Evelyn McDowell’s (Glen Valley) mother, Evelyn passed it on to me in the ‘80’s. Geranium’s are pretty hardy, they were originally a desert plant and do not require much care during the winter. I usually end up with 20 rooted slips for the summer planting. No flies on me!! I think for each missal; I will explain an herb or two that we use at the Sanctuary.
Trailblazers meet on Saturdays 9:30am-2:30pm. This horse club is equine education oriented. I am training talented responsible horse keepers and barn managers. If you are 10 years old, you are welcome to join the team. There is no set fee, we ask for a donation in the Blue Box at the door.
At the Sanctuary our purpose of life is to seek harmony, kindness goes many miles.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.