Basil Update and Tommy Ideas!

I blame it on myself for last week's blog about Basil's Shake No More Gold!  Having reached July RAO episode free I thought we had success.  5 days later I had to call the vet out. 

He is feeling better following an injection but having already had several weeks off work because he was foot sore he is now going to have a couple of further weeks to recover :(  

So, I have been looking at one of the books I had for Christmas 'Training and Riding with Cones and Poles' by Sigrid Shope.  

 

I really should take Tommy into the arena and see what he thinks of doing a bit of ground schooling.  My ground schooling history is practically zero, I have good intentions but they never really come to anything so I am not going to make any grand claims here but I might try to get Tommy near a pole!

I think that he and I have reached a good place.  This morning I was standing next to his stable door talking to the farrier and he put his head on my shoulder.  He is really sweet and I think now feeling more confident of things if he is by my side.  So now would be a good time to try something new .

So I got my book out - I had plans with Basil too - to see if anything would work with Tommy.  I don't have any cones at the moment so will have to start with the poles.  Initially Tommy will have to look at a pole as I am not sure that he has seen one before, and he has only been in the arena a couple of times loose so that will be new too!

However, I think there are a few we could try. This first one involves asking the horse to step over a pole one leg at a time, basically halting after each leg steps over, and waiting to be told to move the next.  Tommy and I have established some commands so this MAY work.

 

The idea is that you can do this when riding too, but I am not sure that Basil would achieve this!


The next exercise is turning within a fancy arrangement of poles.  Tommy is really good at turning so as soon as he is not afraid of the poles I think he will be brilliant at this.  Basil would be good at this too, even if I was riding - I know this because Basil has always been brilliant for me to open gates when I am on top.

The last exercise which I think I might try once we have got the others sorted is nearly lunging ....

... when the poles are arranged like this it is called a fan.  I think that this would be quite a fun exercise to do leading Tommy and riding Basil.  

I am pleased with this book, I need to get some cones so that I can try the other exercises but really just need to get organised to set the poles out before Basil and I want to school, rather than thinking about it after we start!

Have you seen yesterday's video 'Egg Count Day'  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

Haflinger Ponies

These ponies are native to Austria and I always loved their colour! They are sure footed, hardy and strong because of the steep and rugged slopes and extreme temperatures of their natural mountainous habitat.  They can work hard on little food and in difficult conditions which makes them popular ponies and many live to a good age!

History

All Haflingers descend from one stallion born in 1874.  Known as Folie 249 he was a cross between a Tyrolean mare and an Arab stallion.  Used high up in the mountains the ponies carried supplies between villages and farms but also worked in the forest.

The breed was originally fairly lightly framed but suffered during WWI.  During the Second World War the ponies became smaller and stockier.  These ponies were then used as packhorses by the military.  

In 1946 breeders began to focus on producing purebred Haflingers and the stud book was closed meaning that no new blood lines could be introduced.  There are 7 stallion lines which are recognised (all descended from Folie 249).  During the next few decades the breed grew and spread worldwide.  Queen Elizabeth II was given 2 Haflinger ponies in 1969 when she visited Austria and the Haflinger Society of Great Britain was established in 1970.

Characteristics

Height: 13hh - 14.2hh

Colour:  Chestnut (although the shade can vary) and always with a flaxen mane and tail.  Usually white markings on the face.

Conformation:  They have small slightly dish shaped heads.  The neck is strong and they have good shoulders for riding.  The chest is broad and the back strong.  They also have muscular quarters and clean strong legs with hard feet.  

Temperament: They are very docile and ideal for beginners.

Haflinger ponies are great all purpose ponies under saddle and in harness.  Often used for trekking.

The Haflinger society of Great Britain:  http://www.haflingersgb.com/

Did you see my vlog last week 'Follow me ... July 2016' 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 ... Otitis Externa

What is it

Otitis Externa is infection of the ear canal which causes pain and swelling.  If left untreated the infection can move deeper into the middle ear. The inflammation will worsen and may lead to the eardrum rupturing and partial deafness.  However, it is uncommon in horses.

Signs

• Rubbing of the ears 
• Shaking head 
• Swelling and redness in the ear 
• Sensitive if ear touched 
• Affected ear may droop 
• Head may tilt to painful side 
• May be odour or discharge

Causes

• Foreign body eg: grass seed 
• Fly bites or ticks 
• Infection which may be fungal or bacterial 
• Trauma 
• Disease

Diagnosis

The vet will be able to investigate more carefully which may involve sedating the horse to keep him calm and allow the examination.

Treatment

Remove the foreign object if possible.  However, if the horse is distressed it is likely to be better to call the vet as sedation may be required.  The ear should be cleaned thoroughly and antibiotic cream and/or powders may be prescribed.  

Prevention

Controlling flies and midges by using fly fringes with ear protection.  Don't trim or clip the hair out of your horses ears, it is there for a reason!  Checking a horse’s ears regularly for any foreign objects or ticks.

Have you seen Wednesday's vlog 'Follow me ... July 2016'  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

Summer, sunshine and funny faces.

Tommy is getting good at funny faces for the camera !

 Basil can create some good ones when he has a fly.

Chesney shaking a fly too.

 
Did you see my vlog yesterday 'Follow me in July 2016'  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