Bonfire Night and Fireworks

I must admit that I actually really enjoy firework displays.  I don't get to go to them much anymore as I have to stay and look after the horses.  I always think they are really beautiful!  They are getting louder though ..... and this I hate ...... not just for me but for the horses too.

This year I have had to look into more detail about keeping my horses calm.  Generally, although they do get a bit upset with fireworks, the horses I have now are manageable. 

I was unlucky enough to keep a previous horse close to a wedding venue, one night when I wasn't there, they had a huge display.  My horse obviously got so upset that she did something to her spinal cord (we don't know what) and the following morning could hardly stand and certainly could not move, I had to have her put to sleep.

Anyway, last year a house close to the stables where I now keep the horses, had a huge display with the loudest fireworks I have ever heard.  I did know about it and so was there, but these were so loud it was like a war zone (from what I have seen on TV and in films!).  I had done the usual things (see the list below) but these fireworks were so loud it made no difference.  The horses were really distressed and frightened and I did not know what to do.  I have now found out the same neighbour is planning to do the same thing again this year - and I am really worried!  I have appealed to them to use fireworks that are not so loud but they have refused.

These are the steps I have taken in the past!

·         Play music (remember you should get your horse used to this before hand)

·         Have stable lights on - to reduce the effect of the bright lights and flashes

·         Keeping the horses to their normal routine

So I have been ringing around and doing much more research into additional things that I can do for this year.

Unfortunately sedation is not really an option as last year they set the fireworks off 45 minutes later than they said - so any sedation will have worn off by then.  However my vet has suggested Zylkene which is a 'dietetic complementary feed stuff for horses in stressful situations' so I have some of this to try and will review this for you afterwards!

I have also bought a CD which is designed for dogs ....

.... and I have been playing it to the horses in the evening for the last few days and will continue until after the big display.  I am slowly increasing the volume and think that I might play it on the night too and then the horses might just think it is the CD.  The first night they were a bit nervous of the sounds but they did settle and so I am now playing it quite a lot louder.  I am not sure that I will be able to get it as loud as the ones that the neighbours will set off though.

Someone has also suggested putting cotton wool in the horses ears so I may try that, although I am not confident that I will be able to get it in to their ears very easily!

If you have got any good ideas or things which you do that I could try please put it in the comment section below.

Have you seen my Grooming vlog on my new You Tube channel?  Horse Life and Love
Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook for updates on Chesney, Basil, Fidget and Daisy. 

Until next time!

Jo

Clipping

Last week I decided I needed to clip Basil as he is now quite hairy and starting to get hot and sweaty on our rides.  Having him clipped means that he will dry much more quickly after I have ridden but also that he hopefully won't get as hot in the first place!

There are several different types of clips for horses and what you choose can depend on a few things:

• Is your horse stabled or field kept 

•  How much work your horse does 

•  What rugs you have available 

•  How much your horse sweats 

•  How much your horse feels the cold

A Full Clip
This is where all the horses' coat is removed including the legs and head.  A horse with a full clip will need to be in the stable at least overnight and turnout should be weather permitting.  He will need rugging up carefully and monitoring so that he does not get cold or any skin problems.  You would only use this clip for a horse in hard work.

A Hunter Clip

Most of the coat is removed but the legs and an area under the saddle are left.  You may also leave half of the head and the ears unclipped for added warmth.  A horse with this clip will again need to be stabled at least overnight, turnout should be weather permitting  and he will need to be rugged and monitored carefully. This clip would be used for a horse in hard work and perhaps one in medium work.

A Blanket Clip
This clip leaves hair across the back, on the legs and often half of the head.  The horse will be clipped in the areas that tend to sweat.  This horse could be turned out more than one with a full clip, but again must be rugged and monitored. Good for a horse in medium work.

A Chaser Clip
This can be confused with the Trace Clip below except the head is usually half or fully clipped too.  More hair is left to keep the muscles on the top of the neck warm than on a Blanket Clip the legs are also left.  Rugs will be necessary. This clip is therefore ideal for horses in medium work which need to be turned out in the day.

A Trace Clip
More hair is left on the neck and the head is usually left as well as the legs.  The added warmth and protection means this clip is suitable for a horse in moderate work who will be rugged and turned out in the day.

An Irish Clip
Hair is removed from the areas where a horse sweats most, the head can be left half clipped.  Suitable for a horse who has daily turnout with rugs.

A Bib Clip
The simplest clip which only removes hair from the front of the neck and the chest.  Ideal for horses in light work and suitable for horses that are turned out throughout the winter if suitably rugged.

The clip I have chosen for Basil is a Trace clip, he is really only in light work and needs to be turned out during the day.  However, as he tends to sweat between his back legs an Irish clip would not be good enough.  


Basil does feel the cold so I like to leave his head unclipped and I like him to have hair on his neck too (as you can see in the top photo).  I do have to monitor him and the weather forecast daily as he does feel the cold and if it rains when he is out he can get cold if he does not have a thick enough rug on.  This means I have a bit of a rug collection for him and I am planning on posting a vlog or blog of these soon!


 Have a look at my vlog on my new You Tube channel.   Horse Life and Love
Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

You can also follow me on Facebook for updates on Chesney, Basil, Fidget and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

Horse Instincts and Expressions

As I mentioned in my Horse Psychology blog horses have strong instincts and these are shown using body language and noises.

Fear
This is a pretty good picture of a frightened horse (except the teeth and mouth).  When able to a frightened horse will usually run away and may, when he feels he is at a safe distance, turn around to look at the frightening thing!  Horses may then approach the thing carefully with their heads down, blowing - they will still be tense and ready to run.  As you can see the horse's head is held high, the eyes are wide and the nostrils are wide (and blowing).  Ears are pricked and moving around to pick up on any sounds and the body is tense and they will almost 'grow' in height.

Nervousness
In many ways a nervous horse looks similar to one that is frightened, the head is high, eyes are wide, nostrils are flared and they may blow or snort.  Ears are pricked, moving and listening and again the horse will 'grow' and body will be tense to run.  Often the horse will shake or sweat and the breathing rate will increase, nervous horses often pass droppings which are sloppy.

 Anger

This is (and should be) quite a frightening picture.  A horse that looks like this should make you wary to approach.  The head is held slightly lower with the ears flat back against the neck.  The eyes are looking mean and lips are curled, teeth may also be bared and he may try to bite.  An angry horse will also stand aggressively and may swing his hindquarters around to threaten or kick.

Pain
I couldn't find a picture to demonstrate a horse in pain that I felt was appropriate to put here.  If it is possible a horse will run away from pain but if he is cornered he will act in a similar way to an angry horse.  Horses remember painful experiences for a long time and these memories can be hard to replace!

Contentment
This horse looks pretty 'chilled' he is relaxed and calm, his coat is shiny and his ears are gently moving to any sound.

Unhappiness
An unhappy horse is dull and lifeless but may also be angry or aggressive (see other pictures).  His head will be low with dull eyes and may have floppy ears.  He will look tired, some unhappy horses develop bad habits, stable vices or aggressive behaviour.

Interest
This is a good picture of a horse looking interested. The neck is slightly arched, but his body is relaxed, nostrils are sniffing and ears are pointed towards what is of interest.  The eyes are bright and you can see him reaching forward with his muzzle. 

 Excitement

This horse is having a great time.  He is excited, he is prancing about and bucking with his tail erect and body alert.  If we go closer he would have his nostrils flared and his ears would be alert with bright eyes.

Naughty
I also struggled to get a picture of a naughty horse, they tend to have their ears back, but not flat against the neck (as an angry horse does).  The eyes will be mean and the nostrils will contract and tighten.  A naughty horse may also try to cow kick or will lift a back leg.

Playful
These two youngsters are playing together and showing some of the signs to look for.  They tend to move quickly, running with little steps, turning and bucking.  Playful horses often paw the ground.

Attentive
This is similar to an interested horse, he is relaxed, his ears are pricked and eyes bright and alert.

Fighting or Dominance
Another scary picture.  This horse is showing the classic signs; his head is down and neck is outstretched (although in some cases it may be held high and arched). Teeth are bared and lips curled, his ears are flat back against his neck and his body is menacing.  Horses like this are also likely to paw and kick.

Horses are amazing, much of their body language is so subtle that we miss it.  Learning to  understand some of their signs should help us all to interact better with them.


Visit my vlog later this week for Chesney's grooming session. 
On my new You Tube channel.   Horse Life and Love
Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

Until next time!

Jo