Gloomy, gloomy weather .....

Lucky we still have some lovely green grass too ...

 Best friends waiting to come in.

 

 

 

   

More Friends!

 

Basil and Tommy are now good friends and Chesney and Tommy are getting used to each other and more settled each week :)

Did you see yesterday's video 'October Vlog' on my 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, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

All About - Marjoram

Found in Europe and often grown in gardens it should be collected as soon as it flowers.   
 

This might help Basil with his 2 recurring problems, to help his digestion as he does have a tendency to colic and with the mucus which builds up when his ROA flares up.   
 

Actions:
See my herb blog for the meanings of these.
Alterative, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Astringent, Bitter, Calmative, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Emmangogue, Expectorant, Nervine, Rubefacient, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic.
 

Part Used: 
Main Plant.

Usage:
For digestive disorders including diarrhoea.  Good for coughs.

Dosage:
30 - 40gms added to feed daily.

Look out tomorrow for this weeks vlog 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

5 Things To Do This Autumn

As the nights are now drawing in it is easy to get downhearted at this time of year, I know I do.  Although I love the beautiful autumn colours the thought of cold winter days ahead make me feel a bit gloomy.  So I have been trying to think of things I can do with the horses.

• Teach you horse in the stable.  If it is dark then why not try practising your horse's reactions to your commands and touch in the stable.  Does he move away from the door when you ask him to?  Can you ask him to move over so that you can get around the side?  Does he back up when you ask?  These are all things you can practice in the stable and if you can teach your horse to react to a voice command then it is often easier to teach them to move when you are on too eg: for gates!

• Spend extra time giving him a really good groom.   As he is losing the summer coat and growing a long thick one he will appreciate this.  If your horse is clipped and/or rugged up then this is even more important as he won't be able to access his itchy bits so well!  It is often more difficult to spot new lumps, bumps and wounds in the darker months so spending a bit more time checking is a good idea.  It will give you a chance to improve your relationship too.

 

• Look back on the year and think about what went well and what you would like to improve.  This might be your jumping, your dressage or your horses reaction to plastic bags.  Then you can make a plan for the coming weeks to tackle these.  You can make sure that the more limited opportunities to ride are useful and that you achieve something.  You can practise things in the stable too eg: voice commands or getting your horse used to plastic bags.

 

• Try some indoor shows.  There are lots on around the country over the autumn/winter.  If it is your first time jumping indoors you might want to try smaller classes to start with as there is generally less space than when jumping outdoors.  The great advantage is that the going is usually pretty good and you don't have to worry about hard ground or slippery surfaces. 

• Wash summer rugs and fly sheets.  If you get these done hopefully you will catch a good day to hang them outside to dry.  If they need fixing then get that sorted so when you get them out next spring/summer they are all ready to go!

 

Have you seen last week's video 'HOYS Mini-Haul' 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

All About ... The Endocrine System

This system, like the Nervous System, sends messages around the body.  However, the endocrine system sends information from one source to many destinations causing long lasting responses.  
 

The Endocrine system consists of a number of glands which secrete hormones.  These hormones are organic chemicals which travel in the blood or lymph to cells in the body and affect a response.  Each hormone has its own 'target cell' which it affects and so they can all be carried around the body together.   

These hormones are effective in small concentrations and can be continuously secreted into the bloodstream. Their effects can be specific or widespread as they also control growth and metabolism! 
Hormone secretion is regulated by nerve stimulation, by other hormones, negative feedback or chemical balance.  Insulin production is influenced by blood glucose levels.  
 

Endocrine Glands:

• Hypothalamus - this is a nerve control centre at the base of the brain. It controls the Pituitary Gland.
• Pituitary Gland - again at the base of the brain this gland consists of 2 lobes.  The anterior lobe produces hormones which act on the thyroid and adrenal glands and the ovaries in a mare and the testes of a stallion. 
• Thyroid - found on either side of the larynx this gland controls metabolism and growth.  If underactive the result is a lack of energy and a tendency for the horse to be overweight.  If overactive the horse will be the opposite!  The hormone it produces is dependent on Iodine so a shortage of this will affect the effectiveness of the thyroid.  
• Parathyroids - situated near the thyroid these are a group of 4 small glands which control calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body.  See my minerals blog. 
• Adrenal glands - located close to the kidneys these produce 2 hormones; cortisol and adrenalin.  Cortisol has a number of different effects including the control of inflammation.  Adrenalin is the 'fight or flight' hormone and is a stimulant in response to stress - increasing the blood pressure and heart rate. 
• Pancreas - found behind the stomach in a loop of the small intestine this secretes insulin and digestive juices.  Insulin controls the level of blood sugar. 
• Thymus - situated just under the breastbone between the lungs this gland is concerned with immunity.  A source of blood lymphocytes (see my immune system blog) it is particularly large in foals. 
• Other glands - in mares the uterus produces prostaglandin and the ovaries secrete oestrogen and progesterone.  In stallions the testes produce testosterone.

Have you seen this week's video yet 'HOYS Mini-Haul' 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

Tommy Photo Day!

Tommy has now been with us for just over 3 months so I thought today I would have a look back at his time with us so far .....

For the first couple day he stayed at the bottom of the field.

Then he ventured up closer to the stables. 

After 2 or 3 days he decided he would like to go in his stable when the others came in ... 

 Next we tried putting the leadrope over his neck, and progressed to putting it over his back too.

 

 A small tea towel was our next step.

A little numnah.

 

 A big old bath towel.

 

Summer sheet.... 

 .... and finally a Turnout rug. 

I am so proud of Tommy.  He has settled so well and seems to really like our routine.  We still have work to do as he is not always keen on letting me near him in the field.  I hope that as he realises that this is his home for life he will relax more and let me catch him.          


Have you seen my 'HOYS Mini-Haul' video that I uploaded to 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

14 weeks