March 3, 2021
Well March has come in like a Lion, it will be interesting if it goes out like a lamb. Perhaps spring will be early. We hope! In my dreams!! Another 10 bales went to the field today. It is great hay and they are demolishing the bales. It is working out to 5 bales a week. I did not estimate having to feed early because of a drought. It looks like we will be feeding square bales in April. That will be a lot of work. There has always been a war on parasites at the Sanctuary. I am faithful deworming horses, llama, cats and dogs. I learned something new about parasites last month. Ginger the dobe was coughing and hacking and very uncomfortable. Of course when we got to KVC, she did not cough once, quick cure eh! But I was taught that they can get lungworm from foxes. That was news to ne, there are a couple of dens in the back 50 and use to be one under the bunk house. And here I have been so vigilante of raccoon parasites. There are a few raccoons around and they have a parasite that is lethal to dogs. That little bug is hell on the liver and kidneys. There is always something new to learn. and remember. Parasite in horses can cause a lot of problems too. I just thought it was an attack on my pocketbook if the worms got the feed before the horse did.
Murphy’s law struck today during the storm. The barn chain froze to the ramp. It will be tomorrows job to break it free. I would not ask Maxine, my best help (my only help) to climb the 20 foot ramp in a total white out. The only consequence of this tragedy will be twice as much honey to rake and shovel tomorrow.
As the good book says, there is a time for all things. My job during bad weather is getting the records in decent shape for the taxman. We are a registered Non-Profit Sanctuary. Even though there is no profit made, we still have to give proof of our poverty. Silly world. But if all goes well there will be an HST return.
Trailblazer lessons are inside the barn during winter Saturdays. To date we have covered body parts, the skeleton and all the Latin names for bones, muscles and ligaments. People describe the horse as having joints, shoulder, knee, or fetlock. In actuality there are no joints. The bones are piled one to another. It is the muscles and ligaments that keep everything together. One of the main reasons we should be letting the young horse grow up and be very gentle in our training. It does not take much for a young horse to jump about and challenge a muscle or ligament, kick themselves (that will create a bruise). I believe all bruises should be treated immediately. At our barn we use copious amount of Witch Hazel. Each leg, knee, hock, should be massaged for 3-5 minutes. 4 limbs at 5 minutes each. equals 20 minutes of care. That is a very short time if you want to keep your horse sound. A lame horse takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal and return to work. Grandpa told us that tissue takes 6 weeks to heal. Bones take 8 to 10 weeks to heal.
All my Trailblazers learn to drive, Trailblazers first challenge is to drive 25 miles, not in one day though. First you have to learn to hang harness. At first glance it looks pretty complicated, until you lay it out. At least the parts are not named in Latin. It is important to me that all tack fits comfortably on the horse or pony. I do not want to see any chafing or bruising from tack that does not fit. There should be no buckles behind the elbows, the blinders should not touch the eyelashes. The bridle should not drag on the ears. Small things but very important to the comfort of the horse.
Covid has certainly limited every gathering and eliminated most. In years past there was always 10 – 15 kids and adults in the barn working with the horses. Not so now. I am hoping for an early spring, so we can work in the outdoor ring. It will be easier to work and train horses and Trailblazers. One of the best things you can do on a stormy day, is plan and dream a little too. Take care of each other, love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.