Thursday 30 June 2016

Lots of grass ....


I can't believe they are back wearing rugs (even thin ones) at the end of June!  Basil is a wimp and now Chesney is 22 he needs a bit extra looking after. 

This rain means that the grass is growing well though, they are all on restricted grazing now - I just move the fence a little bit every now and then - but it doesn't stop them gazing longingly at what they are missing :)













Have you seen yesterday's video 'Tommy's Year' on my You Tube channel.   
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You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!
Jo

Monday 27 June 2016

How good is a horse's sense of smell?



Horses have a much better sense of smell than us and can detect smells from considerably further away.  Obviously in the wild this has huge advantages as it allows them to identify the smell of a predator who may be lurking in a hedge.  However, it also allows them to identify water sources  which may be far away.

For stallions their sense of smell allows them to identify a mare who is coming into season, even up to half a mile away.  Stallions will then use the flehmen response – which is when they curl the top lip upwards.  This action closes the nostrils and thus traps the smell inside the nasal cavities allowing the horse to analyse the smell more carefully.


A horse’s face is long, this makes room for all their molars but also for the extensive nasal cavities.  These nasal cavities are coated with mucous membranes which hold the olfactory nerves.  However, there are also vomeronasal organs found in the floor of the nasal cavity.  These are also lined with mucous membranes and contain more fibres which link to the olfactory nerves.  These are very efficient at identifying details about another horses scent which allows horses to identify one another in addition to their emotional state. 



We see how horses use their sense of smell in this way when they  meet for the first time. They position themselves nose to nose which allows them to sniff the others breath.  They will take turns to blow into the others nostrils which the other horse will then read and memorise.  This can lead to the horses becoming companions but can equally lead to a fight! 


Mare’s use their ability to recognise scent to identify their foals more than they use sight.  Horses are also able to recognise the smell of their owners and can identify when medication is added to their feed even if you have mixed in molasses or mints!  


This is how horses are able to tell if a rider or handler is nervous and horses have been known to react differently to their owner if they arrive wearing a different deodorant or perfume.

I often see my horses standing in the field with their heads raised, are they looking at something in the distance or can they smell something but can’t see it???

Have you seen last week's video 'One Day in June' on my You Tube channel.   
Horse Life and Love.  Please have a look and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!
Jo

Friday 24 June 2016

All About ... Lice




What are they

There are 2 types of lice; the biting ones and the sucking ones.  Biting lice are usually found on the body but the sucking ones on the mane and tail.  They are light grey and small (about 2 - 4 mm), but are visible to the human eye.  They feed on skin waste products such as scurf or blood and the eggs stick to the hairs.   Lice that infect horses do not survive on humans or other animals.  However, lice are easily passed between horses directly or on equipment.  
 


Signs

  • Severe skin irritation 
  • Rubbing 
  • Biting and or scratching 
  • Dull coat 
  • Mane and tail hair can become matted 
  • Hair loss 
  • Loss of condition 
  • Extreme infestations can cause anaemia



Causes

Horse that are in poor condition are more susceptible to lice infestations.  Lice like long and dirty coats just the type that horses have during the winter!



Treatment

Vets can identify and recommend an appropriate treatment. Hair can be clipped if long, loose hair should then be burnt as the lice can survive for up to 10 days in loose hair.  There are special sprays available and because the life cycle is short horses should be treated every 2 weeks.  Infected horses should be isolated and equipment should not be shared.


Prevention

Keep skin and coat clean with regular grooming.  Horses that are well cared for and nourished are much less likely to become infested!

Have you seen this week's video 'One Day in June' .   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



Thursday 23 June 2016

A Year Ago ...




I met Tommy on the 18th June 2015!  


I had read a bit about him on the Blue Cross website and thought he would love living with my boys.  Then I met him and I just fell in love with him - no surprise, look at that face.  Everyone I spoke to at the Blue Cross said he was a very special pony. 

He did lots of campaigning for the Blue Cross and since he has been with me I have found lots of articles about him, here are just two  ....  (just to warn you - his story is sad and shocking).

Troubled horses in need of special British homes

Horsetalk.co.nz | 19 May 2015 9:19 am | 0 Comments

 
Tommy has learned to trust and love, overcoming the abuse in his past. Blue Cross groom Serena Jenkins, painstakingly earned his trust. Photo Blue Cross.

The British-based charity Blue Cross is seeking exceptional homes following an influx of troubled horses.

The charity has launched the rehoming appeal for companion horses and ponies, which its staff say can bring just as much reward as their ridden counterparts.

Many ponies and cobs currently in its care have been so badly neglected and abused in the past, they will never be able to be ridden, yet still have plenty of affection and pleasure to give.

Horses and ponies, as prey animals, are by nature creatures of flight. For some, the flight instinct is heightened because of bad treatment, eventually causing them to distrust humans.

While many may be won round with kind, consistent and experienced handling, others will remain anxious and troubled, lacking the confidence ever to become safe riding horses.

Tommy is one such horse.

In his early years he suffered horrific physical and psychological abuse. Confined to a small, squalid barn, he and four other stallions fought over a solitary mare, kept with them.

" Anyone knowing horses would really understand how dangerous and terrible it is to confine stallions together with a mare," said Vicki Alford, the charity's horse unit manager at its rehoming centre in Burford.

“Stallions will fight until the death over mares, so to be shut in with no form of escape is torture for horses. I would liken it to dog fighting. It is unforgivable.”

As if this wasn’t distressing enough for the animals, periodically the horses were forced, one-by-one, into a cattle crush and beaten with piping. For some, this resulted in permanent facial scarring and irreparable nerve damage.

Last year, the horses were seized by the RSPCA and taken in to the Blue Cross horse welfare centre at Burford in Oxfordshire. The mare, Tallulah, was so badly traumatised that she was beyond help and had to be euthanised.

Tommy on the other hand showed an inherently trusting nature. “He was very worried and anxious but underneath there was a real spark,” Alford said. “You could see he wanted to trust us but just had no idea that humans were nice.”

It was a long slow process but now, seven months later, Tommy has an admirable bond with his groom, Serena Jenkins, who painstakingly has earned his trust. He leads well to and from the field, can be groomed all over and have his feet picked up and is now ready to find a home for life.

“He gives so much love and affection that someone out there will fall for him in a big way and give him the home he deserves,” Alford said.

Tommy is one of over 30 troubled horses and ponies now looking for exceptional companion homes.

See the article here: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2015/05/19/troubled-horses-in-need-of-special-british-homes/#axzz4CE9kG7TB

Urgent appeal from the Blue Cross

by - 20/05/2015 - Comments ( 0 )

 
Companion horses and ponies can bring just as much reward as their ridden counterparts believe the charity experts. Many ponies and cobs currently in the charity’s care have been so badly neglected and abused in the past, they will never be able to be ridden yet still have plenty of affection and pleasure to give.

Tommy is one such horse. In his early years he suffered horrific physical and psychological abuse. Confined to a small, squalid barn, he and four other stallions fought over a solitary mare, kept with them. Last year Tommy was seized by the RSPCA and taken in to the Blue Cross horse welfare centre at Burford in Oxfordshire. Tommy showed an inherently trusting nature. “He was very worried and anxious but underneath there was a real spark,” said Vicki Alford, Horse Unit Manager at the Blue Cross Rehoming Centre in Burford. “You could see he wanted to trust us but just had no idea that humans were nice.” It was a long slow process but now, seven months later, Tommy has an admirable bond with his groom Serena Jenkins, who painstakingly has earned his trust. He leads well to and from the field, can be groomed all over and have his feet picked up and is now ready to find a home for life. “He gives so much love and affection that someone out there will fall for him in a big way and give him the home he deserves,” said Vicki

See the article here : https://www.animalife.co.uk/blog/urgent-appeal-from-the-blue-cross

 
So after some checks on me and where he would be kept Tommy came home :)

Last Autumn the Blue Cross put this article about him in their magazine ... 


I am so pleased that I was able to give him a home for life where he is loved and cared for as all horses and ponies deserve to be xx

This photo is his most recent picture and shows him walking across the field to see me - something he would NEVER have done even  4 months ago.

 

Did you see Wednesday's video 'One Day in June'  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

Monday 20 June 2016

Welsh Ponies and Cobs


There are 4 separate types of Welsh pony or cob:
  • Section A - the Welsh Mountain Pony 
  • Section B - Welsh Pony 
  • Section C - Welsh Pony of Cob Type 
  • Section D - Welsh Cob


History

Welsh ponies were once found on the moutains of Wales living wild.  The harsh climate meant that they developed into a hardy breed and they are able to survive on limited grazing.  Welsh Cobs were an indispensable part of Welsh country life for centuries.   They were used on farms for ploughing but also in harness and for riding to transport farmers and their families. 

Later many of the smaller ponies were used in the mines.  Other breeds have been introduced over the years including the Thoroughbred and Hackney.  In 1901the first stud book was established and in the years that followed the Welsh ponies were divided into the 4 separate types.

During World War I the cobs were in great demand as pack horses.  Unfortunately, though,  between the wars Welsh Pony numbers fell significantly.


Characteristics

Height:
Section A : under 12.0hh
Section B: under 13.2 hh
Section C: under 13.2hh but are heavier than the Section B
Section D: over 13.2hh

Colour:  Any solid colour.

Conformation:  The head is small but the eyes are large.  The neck is long but the shoulders strong. The back is muscular and strong with powerful quarters.  Legs are also strong and the hooves are well shaped.

Temperament: All types have excellent temperaments.  They have great stamina and are generally good doers.

The 4 different types are ideal for family ponies. They are used for showing, jumping, driving and trekking.

 


The Welsh Pony and Cob Society website:  http://wpcs.uk.com/

Look out for this week's video on my You Tube channel and if you haven't already check out  'Tommy's Spring Makeover'  !
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