January 2019 Review

This has been a very variable month.  I finally decided to get a stronger bit for Basil and after a lot of looking around have chosen to try him in a pelham for a while.  It has made a big difference to my control in the arena and it is now on my terms when we canter and not Basil's!  I feel we have made some good progress with this now but I have also had a few days off riding because I have not been well. 

The road which I have to ride down to go on any hacks is closed for up to 12 weeks, so we can't hack out at the moment :(  So, when the farrier suggested Basil's feet would benefit from a few weeks without shoes I thought now was a good time.  

Tommy has been enjoying the little rain/snow we have had by covering himself in mud - and I have left it on for him!

This is how January looked:

1st - lovely hack today, still walking fast though!

2nd - arena today and we tried shoulder in, just in walk,  not bad on right rein but he was a bit tricky to start with on the left because he did not want to bend around my leg.  Finished better though.  OK canter (too fast) although wrong lead on the left rein to begin with.  Nappy on right rein again, total brake failure today.

6th - lunged today, a dog tried to come through the hedge from the next field and upset Basil to begin with, but went well once he had calmed down.

8th - lovely lunging session today.

9th - school today with our new bit.  I have so much more control, much better canters, he still tried to nap on the right rein but big improvement.

11th - hack today again.  Walking fast again, bit nappy near some donkeys.

12th - lovely hack today :)

18th - lunged today, had a bomb about to begin with but settled to a good session.

19th - hack today, same as other day past donkeys.  Tried to nap again.

22nd - very short lunging today.  Started well but then it started to rain/snow and I did not want Basil to get wet so we stopped.

23rd - shoes off today.

29th - lunged with boots on today, bit silly to begin with but settled.

30th - lunged again with boots.

Have you seen my latest blog 'Gloomy January'  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  Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!   

Jo

Look out for - Equine Influenza (Flu)

You can't have missed the warnings out this week and last week about the increase in Equine Flu cases seen recently.  Although, still only a small number it is more than usual.  The highly infectious nature of flu means it is something to take note of.



Tommy and Basil were both vaccinated about 4 months ago so I am not planning on getting them a booster.  They also are low risk because they don't mix with other horses and there are no other horses nearby.

Today I thought I would repost my blog from a while back .....

What is it
It is a virus which affects the upper and lower respiratory tract of horses, donkeys and mules.  It is very contagious and is passed when the virus is inhaled from infected horses coughing etcetera.  However, it can also be spread via feed and/or water buckets or any object or person transferring the virus.  Luckily it cannot survive for long outside the horse. The virus cannot be passed to or from humans.  
The influenza virus has an incubation period of 5 days.  Affected horses usually recover in 2 - 3 weeks.  However, it can be fatal in young foals!

SIgns

·         Dry cough

·         Nasal discharge, initially clear and watery, later a thick mucus

·         High temperature for 1 - 4 days

·         Loss of appetite

·         Enlarged glands under the lower jaw

·         Watery and/or red eyes

·         Lethargy

·         Muscle weakness

Causes
As mentioned above this is caused by a virus.  However, once inhaled it damages the lining of the airways and the mucous membranes allowing bacteria to invade and cause further infections. 

Diagnosis
Call the vet if you suspect flu.  Isolate the horse, follow biosecurity guidelines and implement strict yard hygiene.  Any horses that have been in contact with the ill horse must be monitored and ideally isolated too. 
The vet will identify the clinical signs and can take nasal swabs.  Monitoring antibody levels in the blood will also help.

Treatment
Rest in a well ventilated stable.  Limit dust and spores as these will irritate the airways further.  Steamed or soaked hay and dust free bedding.  Feeding from the floor helps the mucus to drain down the nasal passages. 
The vet may prescribe some non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which will reduce the fever and help the horse feel better.

Prevention
Vaccination with boosters every year.  These are widely used and should be part of your regular schedule with Tetanus and perhaps Strangles.

Have you seen my latest blog 'Gloomy January'  on my new 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 Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo

My 2 boys xx

We have had a few colder days here in the last week, but we have been very lucky not to have all the snow that some places have had.  My boys have still been able to go out everyday and I have only given them a little bit of hay!

I've just uploaded a new video 'Gloomy January'  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 Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!    

Jo

Riding in the winter ...

Wow, we have been lucky around here this winter so far.  The weather has been so good I have hardly missed any days riding because of it.  However, there have still been some challenges; we are not big fans of puddles or plastic bags in the hedge (or tyres in the hedge which we saw the other week)!  The days have often been dull  and although I don't ride in the dark I have always made sure that  we are seen.  Basil is a dark horse and even when the sun is out but low in the sky it can mean we might not be spotted.  

I love this picture from Naylors.com  because it just makes it so obvious.  

I read a letter a while back in the British Horse Society magazine where someone was arguing against Hi-Viz gear.  His argument was that he did not want to be decked out like a Christmas tree to ride.  I remember thinking what an idiot.  I don't care what I look like as long as it is safe and I am giving drivers and cyclists absolutely every chance to see me.  I am thinking about the welfare of Basil, I don't want him hit by a car because they didn't see me.  

I was driving home from work one day a few years ago and it was not dark but late afternoon and I had to go along a road with trees on either side, so it was a bit dark there.  I suddenly realised that coming towards me on the other side of the road were 4 or 5 horses, I hadn't seen them earlier because they were all wearing dark clothing and blended into the trees by the road.  This really emphasised to me again how important it is to make sure you can be seen and seen as early as possible, giving drivers a chance to slow down before they get to you.

So, as you probably know by now ALL year I wear a hi-vis vest and a bright hat cover.  In the winter if it is dull Basil wears his hi-viz rug and boots.  I am trying to find a thinner rug because this one is a bit too hot for him nowadays because he gets all sweaty he is walking so fast!!!

Other things to think about:

• I mentioned at the beginning of this blog about things in the hedges.  I try to think and plan ahead, if I can see something in the hedge further on that Basil may or may not jump at I make sure I am not trying to go past when a car is coming.  So I stop until the coast is clear then we approach it.
• If it is a bit windy I find you can't hear cars approaching so well from behind so I make sure I check behind me regularly to check there is nothing coming.
• Basil doesn't really like puddles much and he always jumps when a car goes through one as it makes quite a noise.  So if I can I make sure I am not going past one when a car is coming.
• I don't ride late in the afternoon but I know many people have to.  So plan where you are going and how long it will take.  Make sure you will be back before dark.
• Is it icy?  Don't ride on icy roads.  If your horse slips you will come off and he could fall and do some real damage.  Riding through fields in icy conditions can be just as risky though because if the ground was muddy and cut up and then it froze the surface will be uneven and could cause sprains and strains!  I read 'The Horse Whisperer' many years ago and it frightened me so much that I would still never ride in icy conditions. 

• If riding in ice or snow look out for it 'snow balling' in your horses feet which again causes imbalance and could lead to sprains and strains.  Smearing Vaseline inside hooves can help with this.  Take a fold away hoof pick with you in case you need to stop and remove the ice. 
• Ensure your horse's shoes are in good condition so that they provide adequate grip.
• Tell someone where you are going and/or have a mobile phone with you.  Remember to put it on silent so that if it rings it doesn't make your horse jump.  Make sure you store it safely and securely so that it won't come out of your pocket.  There are some great MP3 or phone holders available for runners and I use one of these fixed around my leg just below my knee.

I enjoy riding in the winter, it is a good chance to get out of the house, get some fresh air and appreciate the countryside.  However, I would NEVER risk Basil's safety and well being.  

Have you seen my last video '2 Days of Christmas'  look out for my next video coming soon 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 Basil, Tommy and Daisy.

Until next time!

Jo