Thursday 30 November 2017

Grass ... mmmmmmmmm ...








  




Have you seen yesterday's video 'Top Tips for handling horses'  on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!
Jo

Monday 27 November 2017

Headley Britannia - Greatest Horses



Headley Britannia  was a 15.3hh mare ridden by Lucinda Fredericks to many eventing victories.  Born in 1993 her sire was Jumbo, an Irish Sport Horse and her dam the Thoroughbred  Alan's Bambi.  Brit, as she was known, was  liver chestnut and quite small considering her success.


She always hated her ears being touched but had the most amazing spirit and determination, with the skill and ability that allowed her to win at the top level!

She was bred at the Headley stud by the Hounsell's and started competing in autumn 1998 with Emma Robson.  Sent to Lucinda Frederiks in 2002 to be sold, no one was interested in buying her, so Lucinda decided to compete her.  They won their first event (Intermediate) at Aldon!  Later that year they won at Blenheim ....
.....  in 2007 Brit was gifted to Lucinda.


2002 Won Blenheim

2004 Won Bicton (Advanced)

2006 Won Burghley and 3rd at Luhmuhlen

2007 Won Badminton

2008 Silver at Beijing Olympics and won at Salperton (OI) and Barbury

2009 Won Kentucky, Tweseldown (OI)

2011 Won Tweseldown (OI)

She is one of only 2 horse to have won Badminton, Burghley and the Kentucky Rolex events.


Brit retired in 2012 and since then a number of her foals have been born by embryo transfer.  Sadly, she had an accident in April 2014 meaning she was put to sleep :(

Did you see last week's video 'One Day in November' on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!
Jo

Friday 24 November 2017

All About ... Bacteria




In my blog about the immune system a while ago I mentioned that bacteria can cause infection, however, they are not all bad and some are vital to gut health!


Bacteria are small cellular organisms that have been present on earth for over 3500 million years.  There are a huge number of different types which live in every place on earth, from mountaintops to oceans and everything in between.  They can survive in the most extreme conditions where little else would survive.

·         Aerobic bacteria - can only grow where there is oxygen.
·         Anaerobic bacteria - can only grow where there is no oxygen eg: in the gut.  However, this type also includes those that cause tetanus and botulism.
·         Facultative anaerobic bacteria - can live with or without oxygen but prefer oxygen.  They are usually found in soil and water eg: streptococcus zooepidemicus which causes upper respiratory tract disease.
·         Mesophilic bacteria - are responsible for many infections and thrive in moderate temperatures eg: 37°C

Bacteria are extremely small and very few can be seen by the human eye, typically they are between 0.5 and 5 micrometres in length.  They also come in different shapes; spherical bacteria are called cocci, rod shaped are called bacilli.  There are also spiral shaped bacteria called spirilla and curved ones called vibrio!


In some ways bacterial cells are the same as other cells, but they do not usually have a nucleus, mitochondria or chloroplasts.  However, they do have:

·         a cell wall
·         a plasma membrane, which allows the transfer of some substances in and out
·         cytoplasm
·         DNA
·          ribosomes
·          flagella
·         pili, which are on the outside of the cell and allow it to stick to surfaces


Some bacteria get their energy from 'food' -  they are called heterotrophs and others make their own - called autotrophs - using water, sunlight and carbon dioxide or other chemicals.  

Mutualists are bacteria which form close relationships with other organisms.  In humans and horses these types of bacteria are found in the gut (intestines) where they have a number of roles including fermenting some complex carbohydrates.  Pathogens are the bacteria which cause disease and infection eg: tetanus, strangles.




Sadly, the use of antibiotics does not only kill infection, it also kills the bacteria in the gut and this in turn can affect a horse's ability to digest food.  This does not mean you should not use antibiotics when recommended by the vet BUT think about their use and the other things you should do to help your horse if they are ill.

Have you seen this week's video 'One Day in November' on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love. Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!
Jo

Thursday 23 November 2017

Gorgeous boys x



Love when he looks so proud x




Won't stop eating ...





and the hairy one!





Have you seen yesterday's video 'One Day in November'  on my You Tube channel?   
Horse Life and Love.  Please check it out and SUBSCRIBE.

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

Until next time!
Jo