Fun in the field!!

Have you seen yesterday's video 'My 2017 First Aid Kit'  on my You Tube channel?   
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Until next time!

Jo

Hay Hutch Review

I have had my hay hutches for about 4 weeks now and on the whole I have been really pleased with them.  After years of putting piles of hay out in the field I discovered these.

 

The problem with putting hay out on the floor is that the horses walk through it and spread it around,  it also gets wet in the rain and then muddy and they won't eat it.  There ends up being a lot of wasted hay!

I had a look around and found quite a few different containers for feeding hay which could be used in the field, unfortunately, they were all open at the top.  This means the rain can still get in to the hay and it would rot quite quickly.  

The hay hutches, because they have a lid, keep the hay relatively dry but it is also easy for the horses to eat.  There are 3 holes around for access to the hay so a couple of horses can eat from the same one.  There are also several sizes so they would suit most people's situation.

 

I chose to have 2 smaller ones instead of a larger one.  This is because I know that Chesney would not allow Tommy to share - and I think this is a problem lots of people would have.  Basil will share with Chesney or Tommy so I didn't need 3 but if I only had 1 then Tommy would never have any hay:(

They are really strong which is good because Chesney has always been a bit of a wrecker.  They are relatively bottom heavy which means the horses can't tip them over very easily but they can be rolled around the field when you want to move them.  The lids are a bit tricky until you get used to them but the advantage with this is that they are too difficult for the horses to remove as long as they are on properly. 

There is still some wasted hay because the horses tend to pull it out of the holes and then eat it from a small pile on the edge BUT they can't walk through the whole pile and it doesn't get wet or muddy. 

There is an attachment available which will allow you to put a haynet inside the hay hutch which would mean they couldn't do this so easily - although judging by the hay that ends up on the floor in the stables at night the horses could still create piles.

Tommy was a bit wary to start with but quite quickly decided the hay was too tempting.

I am pleased with them and would definitely recommend them, although I did have to save up.

The piles you can see in the photos are from before I had the hay hutches! 

This blog is NOT sponsored.

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Until next time!

Jo

All About ... Warts

What are they

Warts are blemishes which do not cause further health problems and will often disappear on their own.  However, they are contagious and so it is important to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to other horses.

 Signs

Lumps which vary in size (2mm - 3cm) often found around the nose, lips, eyelids and cheeks.  They usually occur in groups.  The colour also varies from pink to grey but they all have raised, rough and horny surfaces.


Causes

Caused by the papilloma virus carried by insects.   Young horses are more prone to warts because their immune systems are less effective.  

Diagnosis

A biopsy may be done to ensure the lump is not a sarcoid. See picture below!

Treatment

Warts usually disappear within 6 - 9 months and the horse will be left with some immunity to the virus.  Adopt good hygiene and bio-security measures to prevent the spread.  Problems can occur if the horse rubs the wart and they bleed.


Prevention

You can prevent the spread of wart by adopting good hygiene measures, not sharing tack, equipment etcetera.  Horses with warts should also be kept apart from others as they are so contagious!

Have you seen my 'Basil Update' video from Wednesday on my You Tube channel?   
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Until next time!

Jo

Tommy - getting braver!

Cheeky little monster!

 

Have you seen yesterday's video, my 'Basil Update' on my You Tube channel?   
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Jo

The Barb

The Barb originates from the Barbary coast in the north west corner of Africa - which is now Morocco, Tunis and Algeria.  They are known for their endurance and remarkable speed  over short distances.

The breed is tough and capable of carrying great weights, they are also good doers.  In the past they have been confused with Arabian horses, however, there are significant differences.


History

The Barbary coast has been noted for its horses for over 2000 years and, like the Arab, the Barb has influenced many other breeds.  Particularly the Thoroughbred, Lipizzaner and Andalucian, it was popularly used to improve racing bloodlines.

They were used as military horses because of their stamina and strength but following WWII their numbers declined.   There are now a few different types of Barb found and the pure breds are rare.

Characteristics

Height:  14hh - 15hh

Colour:  Grey, bay, brown, black and chestnut.

Conformation:  Long head with flat shoulders and high withers.  They are often ewe necked and they have sloping quarters and a low set tail.

Temperament: Can be quite challenging!

Used as an all round riding horse. 

 

Please always wear a hard hat when you are riding!

Have you seen last week's video 'Top Tips for Winter'  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

All About ... Thrush in Horses

What is it

Thrush is an infection sometimes found in horses feet.  This can be in the grooves either side of the frog or in the frog itself.  The infection causes the tissues to rot.

Signs

• Foul smelling feet 
• Black discharge 
• May be lame 
• Pain on pressure of the affected area.

 

Causes

Bacterial or fungal infection of the foot is due to:

• Poor hoof care ie: not cleaning feet daily 
• Dirty and/or damp bedding in stable 
• Horses standing for extended periods in mud or damp areas 
• Horses with long heels can be more prone

Diagnosis

The vet will be able to confirm this and is likely to need to be called to trim the affected tissues and prescribe antibiotics.


Treatment

Move the horse to a clean and dry stable.  Thoroughly clean the foot out and scrub with dilute iodine.  The infected tissues should be trimmed away by the vet.  Antibiotics may be prescribed and daily scrubbing with dilute iodine should continue until the infection has gone.  

Prevention

Regular cleaning of hooves through picking out thoroughly.  Keep stables or field shelters clean and dry.

Have you see this week's video 'Top Tips for Winter'  on my You Tube channel?   
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You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on Chesney, Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

January 2017 Review

I do feel Basil and I have made a little progress this month.  I have had some glimpses of calmness and rhythm.  I am looking at some new bitting options but don't want to rush into buying the wrong thing.  Tommy has been better to get in at night this month which is a relief and Chesney's feet are coping with the wet so far - fingers crossed.  I am definitely noticing the days getting a bit longer now too and there are a few signs of Spring :)

My Aims for January  were:

1.       Calmness 

2.       Rhythm 

3.       Suppleness - in every pace :(

4.       Improved brakes!

5.       Correct canter leads

I know these are fairly basic aims, but after the last few months we really needed to go back to basics!

This is what January  looked like:

1st - Rained ALL day :(

2nd - rode in the arena today.  It was a bit icy so we stuck to the track when we trotted which is level.  We did some walk serpentines but mostly practised the walk, halt, walk, trot, walk, halt, walk, trot exercise that we were doing at the end of December.  Getting better at it too.

4th - rode in the arena again today.  Practised the same exercise and I am definitely getting an improved reaction now.  Our canter was not too strong and the trot serpentines were pretty good although they were better from the left rein today!

7th - I got Basil in to ride today but he wouldn't hold his foot up to be picked out.  This is very unusual for him as he is really good to have his feet done so I decided he had twinged something and it was better not to ride.  I popped him back in the field.

9th - Basil seemed fine today so I rode him in the arena.  After taking it gently until I was sure he was OK I carried on with our exercises.  We got some pretty good walk and trot serpentines and canters as Basil got the correct leads and wasn't too strong or too fast.  We had some nice loops in walk and trot but as usual the trot became a bit fast as Basil was expecting to canter.

10th - again in the arena.  Good halts today and again some good serpentines in walk and trot and good loops.  Turn on forehand today too but he is MUCH better off the left rein when doing these.  Our first canters on each rein were good but as so often happens the next ones he anticipates and trots faster then gets the wrong lead.  Eventually we got the right leading leg!

Lots of icy days:(

14th  - everything is too icy today.  When I got Basil in tonight he was fine but about 20minutes later I thought he had colic as he started digging up his stable and kicking.  He had eaten his tea though.  I watched him for about 30 minutes and he didn't have another episode so I rang the vet and we decided he had probably just had some trapped wind and if he was OK for another hour I didn't need to worry.  He was fine.  

17th - lunged  today - first time for a while.  Basil had great fun cantering around and bucking.

18th - arena and did the walk, halt, walk, trot exercise which we are getting good at.  If I can keep Basil calm our canter transitions are fine BUT it is tricky getting the balance right with him to prepare him with the right bend and impulsion but not get him over excited.

20th - good lunging session today.

21st - Hack out today, as it has been a while he was very speedy from beginning to end.  We ended up doing lots of trotting and going a different way so that he had to trot back up a steep hill - all in an effort to try to stop him getting too silly.

24th -  arena.  Today we did the usual walk, halt, walk, trot exercise again.  Today we tried something new to try to improve our canter transitions.  We walked the loop, then trotted the loop concentrating on changing the bend then as we went out of the short end took up canter.  It worked Basil was calm but had impulsion and the correct bend so we had some nice canters :)  Trot serpentines were a bit speedy though.

28th - arena again today, much better, felt lighter and not as strong.  Again we did the loops in walk and then trot before cantering.  We also cantered some circles today.  Trot serpentines still a bit rushed - it is because I always do them after we canter and Basil is just thinking we are going to canter again.  Must do them first!

29th - lunged and Basil was very good.

31st - arena.  Pleased as Basil didn't let all the activity on the farm behind upset him.  Loops today and nice walk serpentines.  First canter was  on both reins, felt light and not too strong or too fast.  Then got rushy again. Struck wrong on right rein then kept anticipating and running on.  Eventually got right lead and then cantered around for much longer than usual to see if he got tired and slowed down - he didn't!

My Aims for February are:
 

1.       Calmness

2.       Rhythm 

3.       Suppleness - in every pace :(

4.       Improved brakes!

5.       Correct canter leads

6.       Turn on forehand

7.       Leg yield

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

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

Until next time!

Jo