Things I Love about Winter x

I don't generally enjoy the winter months, the cold, wet, wind and snow make riding less enjoyable and everything else harder work.  So, I thought it might be a good idea to think of some good things about the winter!

I actually love it when the horses are stabled at night.  I enjoy making their beds look all cosy, filling their hay nets with as much hay as possible.   I love getting them in from the cold and wet, putting them in lovely, snuggly dry rugs. Then seeing them all dry and warm with plenty to eat and out of the horrible weather. 

Travelling to and from the horse's in the dark also brings its own rewards as I have seen lots of wildlife.

Many, many rabbits ....

.... that play in the lane.  Also, some deer, which I think are Roe deer, who often run across the lane in front of my car!  

I've seen Muntjac deer too munching on the verge.

There is a Fox which I see often ...

A couple of times I have spotted a Stoat (it might have been a Weasel), again, crossing the lane.

However, what I love the most is seeing the owls.  I sometimes see a Barn owl, swooping across the lane ...

... and there is a Tawny owl who sits on the fence posts.

Of course, it is always lovely to get home, knowing the horses are all safe, and snuggle up by the fire!

Did you see last week's video 'Winter has arrived' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

All About ... The Liver

This is the largest gland in a horse's body and it is vital because every organ depends on it!  It has a large number of functions and is central to preventing harmful substances from reaching the general circulatory system and so the rest of the body.  It is also an accessory organ to the digestive system as it supplies bile to the intestines to aid digestion. Unlike humans, horses do not have a gall bladder and so the bile is directly secreted into the intestines.  

The functions of the liver include:

• Detoxification of waste products and toxins 
• Removal and breakdown of old Red Blood Cells 
• Maintaining blood glucose levels 
• Converting ammonia to urea - to be excreted to the kidneys 
• Removal of lipids from the blood 
• Storage of blood 
• Regulation of body temperature 
• Storage of iron and vitamins A, D & B12 
• Synthesis of blood plasma proteins and blood clotting agents - these are then taken around the body to repair and regenerate cells and organs.

The liver has a double blood supply.  The hepatic artery brings oxygenated blood to the liver cells so that they are able to generate energy.  The hepatic portal vein takes blood from the intestines to the liver, the liver then processes the substances which have been absorbed from the gut and detoxifies poisons.  Lymphatic vessels also take fatty substances to the liver to be processed before they reach the rest of the body.

Anatomy of the Liver

The liver is made up of lobules, these are made up of liver cells (hepatocytes).  Within each lobule blood from the hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery flows through sinusoids (blood filled spaces).  The sinusoids flow past each liver cell which have microvilli on the surface (folds of membrane) which increase the surface area for taking in substances from the blood.

Substances from the blood; lipids, vitamins, glucose and toxic substances  (all taken in from the hepatic portal vein) are taken into the hepatocytes where they are processed, stored, altered and detoxified  before being released back into the blood or into the bowel to be eliminated.


Liver Damage

Each liver cell can be quickly replaced, in fact, the whole liver is replaced every few weeks.  This means that it can repair considerable damage to itself.  However, cumulative damage (eg: eating Ragwort) can be irreparable.  Once 75% of the liver is damaged it is usually too late.  

Symptoms of liver damage include:

• Reduced performance 
• Jaundice 
• Diarrhoea 
• Weight Loss 
• Poor appetite 
• Oedema on the chest, abdomen and legs due to a disturbance in the fluid balance 
• Photosensitivity 
• Bleeding with no clotting 
• Yawning - repeatedly 
• Poor coat

More serious ...

• Aimless walking, staggering 
• Depression 
• Seizures 
• Blindness 
• Swelling of head 
• Running into objects 
• Coma 
• Death

The liver is such an important part of the body that it is vital to keep it healthy.  Ragwort poisoning affects the liver's ability to repair itself - all the more reason to keep your field clear.

Have you seen this week's video 'Winter has arrived' yet?   
Horse Life and Love.   Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

Schooling Again!

I have been back riding Basil now for 3 weeks, unfortunately fitting it around my current job is tricky.  That, in addition to the really windy weather we have been having means the opportunities to ride have been really limited :(

I also decided to stick with riding in the school.  As I wasn't sure how sensitive his mouth and jaw were since his tooth was removed I thought it was a good plan to be enclosed to check the brakes!  Surprisingly, he has been an angel (I hope I am not tempting fate) when I have been riding.  We are obviously not doing too much as he is not particularly fit any more.

The first couple of times I rode him I felt he was a bit lethargic and not his usual keen self.  However, the bit did not seem to be causing him any pain or problems which was good news.  At Your Horse Live Russell Guire talked a lot about making sure you do plenty of walk work first - 30+ minutes.  He did say he was basing this on the fact that most horses have been in the stable for a good while beforehand.  This is never true of Basil because I ALWAYS put him in the field for a minimum of 2 hours before riding or lunging him.  Mostly, so that he has a chance to get rid of any excess energy, but it also helps him stretch his legs and limber up.

I usually start my sessions with about 10 minutes in walk, and then introduce a bit of trot, all on a relatively loose rein.  At the moment we are walking with a little trot for about 20 minutes total.  I am not asking Basil to come round although I am trying to gently encourage him to bend correctly.

The last couple of times I have ridden he has seemed to be much keener, he is more forward going and back to how he should be.  I am not really sure why he wasn't 'feeling it' the first couple of times but am glad we are back on track now :)

We are including 3 and 4 loop serpentines and plenty of rein changes, all in walk.  I think our halt transitions are getting better on the whole but there are occasions when Basil takes a few extra strides.  I am gradually increasing the time spent riding and the amount of trotting BUT I am taking it slow.

Basil is enjoying working again, although he would like to do more and I hope that over Christmas (weather permitting) I will be able to ride much more.  Now I am confident that his tooth removal has not affected my ability to stop I think I will venture out on the roads soon.  

Did you see yesterday's video 'Winter has arrived' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

Aniseed as a healer!

As I have been looking at Breathing Supplements for Basil I have discovered several more herbs that I would like to find out more about.  Aniseed is originally from Egypt so the chances of actually growing it here are small.  I am not keen on the flavour personally - but who knows what the horses would think!

 
It does seem to be a useful addition for a respiratory supplement which is good!  As it is also useful for digestive problems it is likely to be an all round good herb for Basil.

Actions:
See my herb blog for the meanings of these.
Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Carminative, Diuretic, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Pectoral, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic.

It must not be fed to pregnant mares.

Part Used:
Seeds.

Usage:
Internally it can be used for digestive problems, when mixed with Fennel for colic, mixed with Coltsfoot and Horehound for coughing and also for respiratory problems.  It is also useful for increasing milk flow. 

Externally the oil can be used for lice and other parasites. 

Dosage:
20 - 30gms added to feed daily.

Look out for tommorrow's video on my You Tube channel.   Horse Life and Love
Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo

My horses and winter feeding.

I've noticed that the grass is growing more slowly in the last week or two.  Unfortunately , the freezing weather we have had over the weekend will definitely put a stop to it.  Tommy seems to be a bit of a scavenger though and is always finding some little snippits of grass in a corner that the others have missed.  He also seems to still be putting on weight, although at a much slower rate now, luckily!

For the other 2 horses winter is always a time when I re-evaluate their food.  However, those of you that read my blog regularly will know that with Chesney I did this much earlier this year.  Basil is the type of horse that needs monitoring, but as long as he is warm he seems to keep his weight on well.  This is good because I try to keep him on a low sugar diet as he really does not need any extra 'whizz'!

So, although I ran through much of this in my feeding blogs earlier in the year I thought it might be useful to have a look at the key points of feeding for the winter and how I apply them.

 
Roughage

Horses still need to be fed plenty of bulk to keep their digestive systems happy.  However, at this time of year the nutritional value of grass drops considerably.  A few more weeks and the grass is usually in short supply.  The easiest option for replacing the grass in the diet (and if your horse has to be stabled) is hay and check out my blog here for more on this and other roughage alternatives.

I try to save some of my field for December onwards (using electric fence) but this has still usually gone before the end of January.  I always put hay out in the field during the day once the grass is gone.   It is often messy but it means that the horses can get out of the stables into the fresh air, stretching their legs but still taking in food producing energy.  They also have adlib hay in their stables overnight - although I have started restricting Tommy a bit due to his weight.

Concentrates

It is likely that in the winter you will need to supplement your horses diet to ensure that he is  getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs.  You could introduce a compound feed which will provide nutrients and energy in an easy form, but remember to introduce these slowly.  If your horse has some hard feed throughout the year , you can increase the amount you are feeding, bearing in mind the horse's small stomach.  

I feed the horses an alfalfa feed  throughout the year (small amounts in the summer).   I then increase the amount of their food slowly throughout the late Autumn whilst monitoring their  weight.  This gives them some extra nutrients and energy in a slow release form whilst continuing to provide bulk.  Chesney also has a compound feed to supply him with extra energy in a more easily digestible form.  As he is now an older horse he seems to be unable to utilise his food so easily. 

Supplements

It is worth considering that if you don't feed the recommended amounts your horse may still not be receiving the necessary amounts of vitamins and minerals - so you may need to use a balancer or supplement as well.
   
Chesney receives the suggested amount of his compound feed.  However, Basil and Tommy don't.  So far I have not used balancers.  Basil receives extra nutrients in his Farrier's Formula which I feel is enough currently.  Tommy has a special lick in his stable which he can help himself to!


Extras

If necessary you can also add a mixer to your horses feed in the winter.  These tend to supply more energy in an easily digestible form.  Sugarbeet, linseed or oil are all good ways to get more energy ie: calories into your horse if he tends to lose condition/weight in the winter.  TAKE CARE to prepare them correctly.

I have always added sugarbeet to my horses winter feed because it is a great source of energy. The amount depending on how much extra energy they need to ensure they don't lose too much weight.   However, Basil is very, very keen on sugary foods and they tend to make him a bit 'fizzy' so I don't give him sugarbeet  at all.  I haven't tried the un-molassed version but he does not seem to need it.  Tommy obviously does not need any extra calories!

Chesney also has some oil added to his feeds.  Oil is a really digestible form of energy -make sure you introduce it slowly - which does not usually make horses 'fizzy'.  

Water

Remember to keep your water supply clean and available.  Breaking any ice first thing in the morning and if necessary part way throughout the day.  If your troughs and waterers are automatic make sure they are filling, as pipes tend to freeze.  If the pipes are frozen you will need to supply buckets of fresh water daily.  Adding water to the feeds or giving soaked sugarbeet is another way of providing water.  Soaked hay also provides water although this has its own challenges in the freezing weather.  

This is just about the worst bit about winter for me.  I hate breaking the ice in the troughs in the dark every morning, scooping it out and getting really cold hands!  Basil's wet haynets get icicles on them and I am sure he is not keen either.  I give Basil water buckets whenever it is going to be a freezing night as I don't want him to run out of water if the pipes to his automatic waterer freeze.  Chesney and Tommy have buckets anyway.  Obviously when the taps freeze water has to be brought in too!

Warmth

Your horse's body will generate heat as it takes in and digests food, so ensuring they have roughage readily available will help them keep warm.  You could use warm water in their feeds too.  If they are native breeds, are not clipped and have good thick coats then horses should not need rugs at all.  However, horses that are clipped, Thoroughbreds and other thin skinned horses will need some protection and added warmth.  Providing stabling or a field shelter is a great start.  Rugging horses up is also a good way to keep them warm and dry.

As you are  probably aware my horses come into the stables at night in the winter.  Basil is clipped and as a Thoroughbred needs extra rugs to keep him warm.  Tommy does not need a rug in the stable but I feel may need one on really cold wet days when he is out.  Chesney is clipped too (because he gets hot running up and down when I ride Basil) so again needs a rug to keep him warm and dry in the field and warm in the stable.

Always remember that it is nature's way that animals, including horses, lose some weight in the winter because when the spring grass comes through they quickly regain it.  If your horse does not lose any weight in the winter then he will start the year not needing the spring grass - you will be fighting a difficult battle against obesity.  So don't worry if your horse loses some weight, use the body condition scoring system to help you.

Did you see last week's video 'How to .... get a horse used to a worming syringe' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.   Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!

Jo