I am so embarrassed to realize that I haven't posted anything since last year! Obviously either there wasn't anyone "out there" really following, or I lost what followers there were, or I am so fabulous that my followers are willing to wait patiently just in case I decide to drop some golden prose their way. I prefer to believe the latter, if you don't mind.
Now that I am just a "pet person" again instead of being a "professional horse person" I find that the daily routines with our horses really ARE different. It's a big change to go from having 20 horses to keep clean, fed, watered and happy to only having two (and of course, Tucker the donkey who requires zero maintenance and is just about the coolest equine to ever draw breath!)
Whisper the Wonder horse naturally stayed with me. Whither I goest, there Whisper shall go also. We had planned for him to be part of our wedding last month, but Mother Nature sent a tornado into our corner of Alabama instead of the bright sunny blue skies I had specifically ordered (my complaints to Her customer service department have gone unanswered). So, since Whisper wouldn't fit in our living room, where the wedding party finally took place, he had to be content with just being told about it, instead of taking part. I don't think he minded too much. Although he does like the taste of lavender.
Jazz Man is still with us. And I can't wait to be back on his back again for one of those famous Cadillac rides. I can't believe how long it's been since I've had my butt in a saddle. Almost 2 years. What with one health problem after another (of mine, Whisper and Jazz are as healthy as a... uhm... horse) there just hasn't been a good time to saddle up and hit the trails.
But, even if neither of us ever set butt in saddle again, these two will be sharing our life. On bad days, giving Whisper a hug or working on the perpetual tangles in Jazz's mane seems to make everything better.
I wish everyone could understand the peace that comes from spending time with animals. Especially these big-hearted big-bodied guys. Some of the best days of my life have been spent with a new rescue horse who understands how special positive attention actually is. I think the rescue aspect is the thing I miss most of having the stable. I am proud to say that over the short period of time that we were in business, we gave a life to over a dozen horses who would have been dog food had we not intervened. And each one of them has gone on to a permanent home where they are loved and adored and will never know fear again.
Unless Mother Nature sends another tornado our way.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Nature Knows Best
"To Blanket or Not, That is The Question....."Whether 'tis nobler to wrap our equine friends in man-made blankets, or to allow them to live as Nature intended; utilizing their innate qualities, inherent abilities and enjoying a truly natural lifestyle.
Although I live in the Sunny South, our temperatures have begun to drop and even I have been wearing a few more layers than usual (since going through chemo, my personal thermostat is out of kilter, leaving me sweating when everyone around me is shivering, and vice versa).
My horses have all grown lush winter coats that I find gorgeous. I have acquaintances that keep their horses blanketed all winter (and summer), and while I believe that unless we are actually harming an animal's health by our actions we have the right to treat our animals as we see fit, I find their actions disturbing and quite frankly, asking for trouble. I back up my opinions and my treatment of my horses with agreement from most natural horsemen as well as homeopathic, holistic and traditional veterinarians. If you want to blanket your horses, you have the right to do so, but do NOT criticize me because I choose to do otherwise. (I have far more information to prove my point than you can find to prove yours.) Almost every documented study proves that blanketing, like most "pampering of pets" is done to make the owner, not the animal, feel better, and can in the long run do more harm than good.
I realize that horses that are being shown during winter months must be either clipped or kept blanketed so that they don't realize the temperature change enough to grow a thicker coat (some purists also keep their horses in lighted stalls 24/7 so they do not realize the shortening of days signaling coat growth for winter). And I also realize that if you board your horses at a fancy facility that has indoor riding arenas you may want to keep your horses from growing their "wooly" natural coat for winter so they will continue look sharp under saddle when you're riding. However, that word "natural" means more to me than anything else, and my horses will NOT be blanketed against winter's chill unless it's necessary. I figure if their Maker had intended them to wear synthetic man-made coats, horses would not be covered with 100% horsehide and a thick lush chill-repelling coat.
Horses were "designed" to withstand subzero temperatures. Look at the ponies of Chincoteague Island where thermometers are blasted towards Antarctic temperatures by winds blowing across the ocean. For centuries these little guys have thrived and grown in number, with nary a one being wrestled into a polyester fiber filled coat to stave off nature's icy blasts. Hardy to a fault, they are now having to be herded into pens and sold each year because their numbers continue to grow at a speed with which Nature can't keep up. Watch the herds of wild horses on the plains of the West and tell me that they fret every night because there is no human there to strap them into bulky coats and blankets to ward off the night's chill. Only a few seem to even notice that their coats are dangling with icicles and their breath freezes around their chins. Wolves, coyotes and other predators wreak far more havoc with their numbers than does winter's blast.
If you have a neighbor or friend who blankets their horses, take notes of their actions. Not because you should be emulating them, but notice how labor intensive horse ownership has become for them. Where is the fun in spending your days putting on and taking off a horse's blanket? Becoming intimate with the weatherman so you know when the temperature is altering so you can either take off the blanket and let the poor horse's skin breathe normally for a bit, or change to a lighter weight blanket, then redo everything when a chilly change is predicted in the forecast. All so you can end up with a pampered princess of a horse that can't keep up with a naturally-kept horse in almost any competition or even just basic riding.
I once babysat a friend's dogs for 3 weeks while he went to England on vacation. I was given a long list of dos and don'ts for feeding and exercise and treats and...I think he even had it down to how many bowel movements each dog should have every day and if their numbers were off, information on how to regulate them.
I will add that at that time, my dogs were disgustingly healthy. I love my dog-vet (referred to as both "Aunt Ellen" and our dogs' "pediatrician") but I wasn't seeing much of her, unless someone had an accident. My friend's dogs were always having to see the vet for this and that, and seemed to always be on medication for one malady or another. They were always immaculately groomed and amazingly trained and always had wagging tails, but they quite simply weren't "natural dogs."
The first day they spent with me, I tried to keep to the letter of instruction. I was 20 minutes late getting them supper and all 3 of them threw up yellow bile, which meant that they had to delay their supper until they could take the vet prescribed meds to settle their stomachs. Then, because of the delay, no one's bowels reacted according to plan, which threw our schedule even farther off track. After three days, I threw away the instruction letter and started treating them the way I treated my own dogs. When supper wasn't in the dish at 5:00 on the dot and they threw up, I cleaned up then put them outside in the fresh air and let them eat grass until they felt like coming inside and eating their kibble. They got fresh pork neck bones and raw chicken wings once a week, and ate carrots as snacks instead of processed treats. They had a dog door so they could come and go as they pleased and I stopped counting poop piles. After a week, they were adjusted to a much more relaxed and natural scenario and we simply enjoyed spending time together. Another friend remarked on how glossy their coats had become and how happy and relaxed they appeared. (Although in a different breed than that which I bred/showed, these dogs were legendary in our "circle" of exhibitors for their nervousness, irritability and prima donna needs).
My friend came home and stayed with us for a week. He was horrified to find that his dogs weren't eating at exactly 5:00, and was amazed that no one threw up when the time came and went. He gasped in horror at the raw meat and carrots and within days had all three dogs back into their whiny, needy, dependant mindset. I explained my theory that when you mess with nature you create your own problems, but his eyes glazed over. By the time he was ready to take the last leg of his vacation back home, his dogs were once again throwing up yellow bile at "suppertime" and he was medicating left and right to "fix" minor problems.
I think it's the same thing with horses. If you pamper them and treat them like precious glass figurines, that is how they will respond. Your vet bills will increase, your likelihood of colic and other gastric stresses increases and because they are not allowed to let nature set their internal schedule by shedding and growing coat according to temperature and daily light patterns, their internal thermometers will go off kilter causing even more health related issues. Allowing your horse to live as naturally as possible will create a sturdier, healthier horse, far nearer the original design of "Horse" than any pampered equine princess can ever be.
Horses were 'designed' to withstand subzero temperatures. Go out on some frosty morning and you'll likely see your horses looking like big bristle brushes. Nature at work at Her best. If they aren't clipped or blanketed regularly, horses grow thick coats of hair that tend to stand up noticeably whenever the temperature drops. That's because warm air is trapped near their skin by their coat. This coat not only keeps them warm, but repels moisture as well. It's sort of like we humans' "nature's Gore-Tex" or "down filled parka". They don't need our puny efforts at keeping the cold at bay, their own natural skin and coat does a damn fine job without our intervention. In fact, blanketing a horse will flatten their natural coat much as rain does and can make them colder than they would be without the blanket! (Do your own research if you don't believe me)
That is not to say that there is no need for blankets. I own 3, well, I own 2 now, I gave one to someone with a debilitated horse that I thought needed it more than my own did. Buster is blanketed at the moment because he is a bit debilitated after getting infested with internal parasites due to an apparent bad batch of dewormer (that and the fact that he is the 'baby of the family' and does tend to get a little more special attention than the rest). He lost a bit of weight, and I could tell the cold temps were beginning to bother him. He has a nice thick winter coat, although it seems a bit "fluffy" and not as waterproof as I would like, so he'll wear a coat off and on for really bad weather until his body gets back to normal. Any horse should be blanketed if they are ill or recovering from an illness, if they are thin or otherwise debilitated, or are having a problem adjusting to a temperature change after a move from a different climate.
My other four horses (and donkey) are weathering the cold and rain just fine. Sadly, since we moved from the stable we had leased, we don't have a barn for them to use as shelter. There's one in the plan, but unfortunately it's a ways away. I would love for things to be different, but they are not. If I thought for one minute that our horses were truly uncomfortable, I would farm them out with friends with barns or even place them permanently in other homes, but I watch them carefully and have seen no signals that they need more protection than that which Nature has provided. You can tell if a horse is truly suffering from the cold. They stand stiffly with head hung low, tail facing the wind, with no interest in food or anything other than getting warm. If the cold isn't bothering them, they'll graze normally, have the usual "jockeying for herd position" actions and act no differently from any other time. (We do feed more during the winter than in the summer, since a horse requires extra food to maintain their body temperature and without feeding extra we see a little weight loss).
When we had the stable facility, I was so excited at having 7 individual stalls, that I started stabling everyone every night. The next morning when I got there, everyone was pawing at the door, kicking the walls and generally throwing tantrums wanting O.U.T.! They hung around for food, then dashed out into the pasture. After a while, I got tired of being buffeted around by thousand-pound bodies that weren't where they wanted to be, so I began just leaving the gate open so they could come and go as they chose. Almost overwhelmingly, no matter the weather, they 'chose' to stay outside, coming inside only if they thought there was a chance of being fed, or if there was so much frost (or rare snow) on the ground that foraging was difficult. One of the older horses always spent the coldest part of the night in the aisle of the barn, so I went back to stabling her, and always blanketed her on the coldest nights. Lucy was one of our rescues and very thin, so her furnace needed a little help staying stoked. The rest thrived and began this spring's work in what our vet described as "excellent weight and health." They ate field grass hay all winter with a bit of sweet feed and alfalfa pellets in the afternoon, and whatever winter grass struggled to grow.
This summer, we had zero health issues with the horses I overwintered. With rescue horses coming and going, there were vet bills, but most of them from man-made problems of abuse, neglect and in one case, a horse having been overpampered to the point that there was little 'natural' about her. She had been clippered and blanketed to excess so that her internal thermostat was totally out of whack. After a short trail ride in moderate weather, she was sweating so badly the saddle and pad could barely stay in place, she got out of breath after a brief canter, and had to have special vitamins for a while to simply keep up with the rest of the gang. She continuously had upper respiratory issues and kept a runny nose the entire time she was with us although our vet(s) could find no underlying cause. Her case alone proved to me undoubtedly that I am not wrong in my assumption that if you try to fool Mother Nature, she will find a way to get even.
If you choose to blanket your horses, I applaud your dedication (and will agree to disagree) and I'll defend your right to make your own decisions for your pet's care. In return, I will expect the same courtesy.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Warmth of a Horse
This last month has been a hard one. I've barely been online at all, much less able to keep up with my blogs. The stable has officially closed, all of the horses and 90% of our personal stuff is moved and we are looking forward (albeit through a mist of tears...it's hard to say goodbye to a dream).
A large majority of our horses have found new homes. I hope we have been good stewards in finding places for them...I have done my best, and if everyone is who they appeared to be and if no references etc were forged, then all of our hooved friends should have very happy futures.
The crippled mule, Junior, was the latest to leave. He is the newest companion of a 13-year-old boy, home schooled so has lots of time to spend spoiling Junior the way he deserves to be spoiled. Jessie the Paso will be joining him as soon as we can find the time to load her and deliver her. All these holidays looming makes planning everything difficult.
We are left with six horses that appear pretty permanent. A couple of them would be available to the right home, but if one doesn't turn up, we will be happy to continue to share our lives with them.
Freckles is not doing so well....his esophageal tear or blockage is creating problems and I thought we had lost him a week ago. He was down and not breathing...but when I checked on him an hour later, he was standing up. A few hours later he ate supper. He is truly a "walking miracle" although I know that his time is very limited. He is a sweet wonderful boy and I wish I could do more to make his life better.
We are trying to focus on a new dream instead of dwelling on the one that is now passed. We are laying out the land readying for earth moving equipment to come and create the pad for a 20x95 greenhouse to be installed. We will be offering organic herbs and heirloom flowers and vegetables in late spring 2009. As if we didn't have enough to do already!
Our Thanksgiving Day will be spent building fences and getting the animals ready for the new pasture layout, making room for the new buildings. Five of the goats are about to burst with new life, and I'm dreading the bad weather that will surely hasten their deliveries. We've got to get some sort of shed built to house them when they get here. I feel VERY unprepared. A little like Prissy in Gone With the Wind. While I do know something about "birthing babies" I'm just NOT ready! Do you think I could talk them into waiting until spring to deliver? Nah, didn't think so.
I will try to keep up with my blogs better in the future, sharing things I learn as we use the herbs we're growing with our horses, rabbits and goats.
There are so many stresses in life at the moment, it's easy to get overwhelmed....when we started moving we found that someone had stolen over $1700 worth of tools from the stable. Only a handful of people knew they were there, or had access (it's back off the road, through a gate that is always locked when no one is there, and only a few keys) so it's been very disturbing to have to admit that it's very likely that someone we trusted is a thief. In a way, I want to know who and how and why, in another, I think I'd rather just not know. Sometimes knowledge is a bad thing.
With all the bad days that come along with bad weather, when you have a body that's riddled with arthritis and fibromyalgia, sometimes it's hard to find a reason to get out of a warm comfortable bed in the morning. I was sent this poem that brought tears to my eyes, with the realization that truly my horses ARE the best therapy in the world. When I was going through breast cancer treatments, there were many days when I cried into my horse, Story's, mane and afterwards saw things a little clearer. Story is in another home now, where I hope she is much happier than she was here once other horses started coming along, but I hope somehow she knows how much I appreciated her 'being there" for me. Now, Whisper is my "go to" horse, the one who listens when it seems that no one understands me and I am causing problems with absolutely no intention of doing so. He reminds me that my heart is in the right place and those who love me will continue to do so, and those that don't...don't count. I have had many offers to buy him, but he will remain here as long as he is happy here. And I hope that will be for the rest of his life.
Anyway, here is the poem, I hope you enjoy it as I did, and I hope it gives you reason to take your horse(s) a special treat and say thank you, just for being there.
The Warmth Of A Horse
When your day seems out of balance
and so many things go wrong
When people fight around you
and the clock drags on so long
When some folks act like children
and fill you with remorse
Go out into your pasture and wrap
your arms around your horse.
His gentle breath enfolds you as he
watches with those eyes
He may not have a PhD
but heis,oh so wise!
His head rests on your shoulder
you hug him good and tight
He puts your world in balance
and makes it seem all right.
Your tears will soon stop flowing,
the tension will be eased
The nonsense has been lifted.
You are quiet and at peace.
So when you need some balance
from the stresses in your day
The therapy you really need
Is out there eating hay!
- Author Unknown
A large majority of our horses have found new homes. I hope we have been good stewards in finding places for them...I have done my best, and if everyone is who they appeared to be and if no references etc were forged, then all of our hooved friends should have very happy futures.
The crippled mule, Junior, was the latest to leave. He is the newest companion of a 13-year-old boy, home schooled so has lots of time to spend spoiling Junior the way he deserves to be spoiled. Jessie the Paso will be joining him as soon as we can find the time to load her and deliver her. All these holidays looming makes planning everything difficult.
We are left with six horses that appear pretty permanent. A couple of them would be available to the right home, but if one doesn't turn up, we will be happy to continue to share our lives with them.
Freckles is not doing so well....his esophageal tear or blockage is creating problems and I thought we had lost him a week ago. He was down and not breathing...but when I checked on him an hour later, he was standing up. A few hours later he ate supper. He is truly a "walking miracle" although I know that his time is very limited. He is a sweet wonderful boy and I wish I could do more to make his life better.
We are trying to focus on a new dream instead of dwelling on the one that is now passed. We are laying out the land readying for earth moving equipment to come and create the pad for a 20x95 greenhouse to be installed. We will be offering organic herbs and heirloom flowers and vegetables in late spring 2009. As if we didn't have enough to do already!
Our Thanksgiving Day will be spent building fences and getting the animals ready for the new pasture layout, making room for the new buildings. Five of the goats are about to burst with new life, and I'm dreading the bad weather that will surely hasten their deliveries. We've got to get some sort of shed built to house them when they get here. I feel VERY unprepared. A little like Prissy in Gone With the Wind. While I do know something about "birthing babies" I'm just NOT ready! Do you think I could talk them into waiting until spring to deliver? Nah, didn't think so.
I will try to keep up with my blogs better in the future, sharing things I learn as we use the herbs we're growing with our horses, rabbits and goats.
There are so many stresses in life at the moment, it's easy to get overwhelmed....when we started moving we found that someone had stolen over $1700 worth of tools from the stable. Only a handful of people knew they were there, or had access (it's back off the road, through a gate that is always locked when no one is there, and only a few keys) so it's been very disturbing to have to admit that it's very likely that someone we trusted is a thief. In a way, I want to know who and how and why, in another, I think I'd rather just not know. Sometimes knowledge is a bad thing.
With all the bad days that come along with bad weather, when you have a body that's riddled with arthritis and fibromyalgia, sometimes it's hard to find a reason to get out of a warm comfortable bed in the morning. I was sent this poem that brought tears to my eyes, with the realization that truly my horses ARE the best therapy in the world. When I was going through breast cancer treatments, there were many days when I cried into my horse, Story's, mane and afterwards saw things a little clearer. Story is in another home now, where I hope she is much happier than she was here once other horses started coming along, but I hope somehow she knows how much I appreciated her 'being there" for me. Now, Whisper is my "go to" horse, the one who listens when it seems that no one understands me and I am causing problems with absolutely no intention of doing so. He reminds me that my heart is in the right place and those who love me will continue to do so, and those that don't...don't count. I have had many offers to buy him, but he will remain here as long as he is happy here. And I hope that will be for the rest of his life.
Anyway, here is the poem, I hope you enjoy it as I did, and I hope it gives you reason to take your horse(s) a special treat and say thank you, just for being there.
The Warmth Of A Horse
When your day seems out of balance
and so many things go wrong
When people fight around you
and the clock drags on so long
When some folks act like children
and fill you with remorse
Go out into your pasture and wrap
your arms around your horse.
His gentle breath enfolds you as he
watches with those eyes
He may not have a PhD
but heis,oh so wise!
His head rests on your shoulder
you hug him good and tight
He puts your world in balance
and makes it seem all right.
Your tears will soon stop flowing,
the tension will be eased
The nonsense has been lifted.
You are quiet and at peace.
So when you need some balance
from the stresses in your day
The therapy you really need
Is out there eating hay!
- Author Unknown
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What Does It Mean To Go "Natural"?
If you're a woman and you say you're going to "go natural" it most likely means you're going to let your hair return to its natural color. If you're on a beach in Spain it could mean you are going to leave your bikini behind and go for a truly all-over tan. If you're a horse owner, however, that is making the plan to "go natural" it means that you are going to attempt to give your horse a style of life as near as possible to that of its wild ancestors.
Granted, "natural" only goes so far. And, your horses will thank you for knowing where the lines are. While it sounds romantic and idyllic to think of your horse roaming free across the range, common sense should remind you that the death rate of wild horses is far higher than that of our domesticated horses. Horses in the wild have the constant threat of predators, injuries and illnesses with no caring owner to keep them safe, and when injury or illness does occur, to help nurse them back to health. Only a handful of foals born in the wild make it to adulthood yet foals born to domesticated mares have a very good chance of living to be a ripe old age. Old horses in the wild are targets for predators and illness, yet most people who own horses know the value of a tried and true teenager (or older) and give them the respect and extra care that they deserve. It is not uncommon for a well-loved horse to spend 40 years or more with a caring owner. Few wild horses become teenagers.
All that is true, but there is still much to be said for a natural lifestyle for horses. A horse that is trained using natural horsemanship methods. Horsemanship is the "relationSHIP between HORSE and MAN. It should not be a quest for dominance, it should not be a harsh breaking session that ends with a horse allowing a human to sit on him simply because he was dominated. There is a huge difference in 'breaking' a horse and 'training' it. A well-trained horse, trained using humane natural horsemanship methods will allow a human on his back because he feels that they are partners. Equals.
If you've spent a lifetime in horses, using methods taught to you by "old timers" to "break" your horses, it will likely take you some time to realize the difference. I would suggest that the first thing you should do before you attempt this natual lifestyle is to attend a seminar with Pat and Linda Parelli, Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, Linda Tellington-Jones or any of the other wonderful trainers that can open up your eyes (and your mind) to the differences in being a partner with your horse, and being simply an owner. These trainers can train you to understand body language, both yours and your horse. Learn how to use your own body language to give signals to your horse of what you expect from him. And learn your horse's body language to realize what he thinks, sees and feels. Once your eyes have been opened, you will literally ache to watch most people with their horses, knowing the mistakes they are making for which their horses will inevitably suffer.
I attended a Parelli weekend in Jacksonville, Florida last year, and I learned more about horses in those two days than I had learned in an entire lifetime (50 years and counting). A few months ago I went to a Clinton Anderson clinic in Georgia and learned still more. I personally am more attuned to Pat and Linda Parelli, but I believe that to be the best you can be, you can take away something from any natural horsemanship clinic or seminar that you can attend. Learn from the best, pick and choose that which will work best for you and your horse, and be amazed at the difference you'll quickly see in your horse's attitude.
It is sad to realize how much we humans are geared to act as a predator towards a horse. No matter how evolved the species is, horses will forever go through their life as a prey animal. Generations and ages of evolution for the horse created a species that is sensitive and highly attuned to every action, smell and sound around him. In ages past, only the horses that were wary and overly-sensitive managed to survive and breed. Their offspring carried these traits and soon it became simply ingrained in the DNA of the horse to be super-aware of everything that goes on around them.
Let's say you just bought a horse about which you know nothing other than perhaps its pedigree, color and name. You brought it to your home and turned it loose in a paddock. The next morning you go out to see it, and what is the first thing you do? You go through a gate or climb the fence and enter his space. Without asking permission. Would you do that to a new neighbor? No, you'd stand at their front door and ask for permission to enter their home. If the horse shows his disapproval at your action by running or walking away from you, what is your reaction? You likely will walk or run towards him. Probably holding out your hand with a tasty treat To a horse's eye however, you are stalking him, much as a cougar or wildcat stalked his ancestors. So, he runs faster. You try to corner him. He gets away. And you both end up angry and frustrated.
Next time, try the following. Walk quietly to the paddock and stand for a while outside the fence. If you have a treat for him, show him. If he comes straight over to the fence, give him the treat without asking him to share his space any further. If he shows interest in you, you can enter the paddock, quietly and slowly. If he walks away, find something to do. Pick up a water bucket, examine the nails in the boards, check the tautness of the fence. Anything except look at the horse. Soon, you'll likely feel hot breath as he walks up behind you. Again, don't enter his space without his permission. Once he gives it, then you two can begin getting to know each other.
Just as it would be rude to enter a neighbor's home and immedately start bossing her around and asking her to perform for you, it's rude to enter a horse's space, snap a lead on him and immediately start giving him instructions.
After you've given him some treats, rubbed his favorite spots (or searched for them, if this is a new horse) and made him comfortable with you being in his space, snap on a lead line and walk slowly away. If the horse doesn't follow, turn around and face him. Pull slowly on the lead, putting gentle pressure. As soon as he takes a step towards you, RELEASE the pressure immediately. If this is an untrained horse and this is likely a new experience for him, be lavish with your praise, and keep your admonishments for bad behavior to a minimum.
What you've just done is to take the first steps towards understanding what natural horsemanship is all about. Understanding a horse's feelings, and learning how to share your own with him in return. Learn to use your body language for both good and bad. Soon your horse will know when you are pleased or displeased by his actions without a harsh word having to be uttered. He will learn to watch for small signals that ask him for action, and you two will begin a long happy journey together, working as a team. True Horse-Man-RelationShip.
We have owned several rescue horses in the past that came to us because previous owners had abused them so badly that they were now believed to be beyond hope as riding horses. Most of them were victims of people who were too much cowboy and not enough man. Men (and women) who believed that you have to be dominant to be able to maintain respect from their horses. Owners who believed that to spare the rod would spoil the horse. In the end creating horses that had a severe mistrust of humans (who could blame them?) and who were considered lost causes. Most were headed to certain death or worse.
In almost all cases, as soon as we allowed the horse to just be a horse for a while, then started sharing his space only after he invited us in, and then after we'd gained his trust began slowly introducing training in a positive manner, we ended up with a horse that could be placed in a forever home with no problems.
Once you've begun the natural training process, you'll find yourself wanting to provide everything for your horse as naturally as possible. From his feed and diet supplements to his hoofcare. Since the dawn of their time, nature has provided everything a horse needed to survive. The least we can do is work with Mother Nature instead of against her!
Granted, "natural" only goes so far. And, your horses will thank you for knowing where the lines are. While it sounds romantic and idyllic to think of your horse roaming free across the range, common sense should remind you that the death rate of wild horses is far higher than that of our domesticated horses. Horses in the wild have the constant threat of predators, injuries and illnesses with no caring owner to keep them safe, and when injury or illness does occur, to help nurse them back to health. Only a handful of foals born in the wild make it to adulthood yet foals born to domesticated mares have a very good chance of living to be a ripe old age. Old horses in the wild are targets for predators and illness, yet most people who own horses know the value of a tried and true teenager (or older) and give them the respect and extra care that they deserve. It is not uncommon for a well-loved horse to spend 40 years or more with a caring owner. Few wild horses become teenagers.
All that is true, but there is still much to be said for a natural lifestyle for horses. A horse that is trained using natural horsemanship methods. Horsemanship is the "relationSHIP between HORSE and MAN. It should not be a quest for dominance, it should not be a harsh breaking session that ends with a horse allowing a human to sit on him simply because he was dominated. There is a huge difference in 'breaking' a horse and 'training' it. A well-trained horse, trained using humane natural horsemanship methods will allow a human on his back because he feels that they are partners. Equals.
If you've spent a lifetime in horses, using methods taught to you by "old timers" to "break" your horses, it will likely take you some time to realize the difference. I would suggest that the first thing you should do before you attempt this natual lifestyle is to attend a seminar with Pat and Linda Parelli, Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, Linda Tellington-Jones or any of the other wonderful trainers that can open up your eyes (and your mind) to the differences in being a partner with your horse, and being simply an owner. These trainers can train you to understand body language, both yours and your horse. Learn how to use your own body language to give signals to your horse of what you expect from him. And learn your horse's body language to realize what he thinks, sees and feels. Once your eyes have been opened, you will literally ache to watch most people with their horses, knowing the mistakes they are making for which their horses will inevitably suffer.
I attended a Parelli weekend in Jacksonville, Florida last year, and I learned more about horses in those two days than I had learned in an entire lifetime (50 years and counting). A few months ago I went to a Clinton Anderson clinic in Georgia and learned still more. I personally am more attuned to Pat and Linda Parelli, but I believe that to be the best you can be, you can take away something from any natural horsemanship clinic or seminar that you can attend. Learn from the best, pick and choose that which will work best for you and your horse, and be amazed at the difference you'll quickly see in your horse's attitude.
It is sad to realize how much we humans are geared to act as a predator towards a horse. No matter how evolved the species is, horses will forever go through their life as a prey animal. Generations and ages of evolution for the horse created a species that is sensitive and highly attuned to every action, smell and sound around him. In ages past, only the horses that were wary and overly-sensitive managed to survive and breed. Their offspring carried these traits and soon it became simply ingrained in the DNA of the horse to be super-aware of everything that goes on around them.
Let's say you just bought a horse about which you know nothing other than perhaps its pedigree, color and name. You brought it to your home and turned it loose in a paddock. The next morning you go out to see it, and what is the first thing you do? You go through a gate or climb the fence and enter his space. Without asking permission. Would you do that to a new neighbor? No, you'd stand at their front door and ask for permission to enter their home. If the horse shows his disapproval at your action by running or walking away from you, what is your reaction? You likely will walk or run towards him. Probably holding out your hand with a tasty treat To a horse's eye however, you are stalking him, much as a cougar or wildcat stalked his ancestors. So, he runs faster. You try to corner him. He gets away. And you both end up angry and frustrated.
Next time, try the following. Walk quietly to the paddock and stand for a while outside the fence. If you have a treat for him, show him. If he comes straight over to the fence, give him the treat without asking him to share his space any further. If he shows interest in you, you can enter the paddock, quietly and slowly. If he walks away, find something to do. Pick up a water bucket, examine the nails in the boards, check the tautness of the fence. Anything except look at the horse. Soon, you'll likely feel hot breath as he walks up behind you. Again, don't enter his space without his permission. Once he gives it, then you two can begin getting to know each other.
Just as it would be rude to enter a neighbor's home and immedately start bossing her around and asking her to perform for you, it's rude to enter a horse's space, snap a lead on him and immediately start giving him instructions.
After you've given him some treats, rubbed his favorite spots (or searched for them, if this is a new horse) and made him comfortable with you being in his space, snap on a lead line and walk slowly away. If the horse doesn't follow, turn around and face him. Pull slowly on the lead, putting gentle pressure. As soon as he takes a step towards you, RELEASE the pressure immediately. If this is an untrained horse and this is likely a new experience for him, be lavish with your praise, and keep your admonishments for bad behavior to a minimum.
What you've just done is to take the first steps towards understanding what natural horsemanship is all about. Understanding a horse's feelings, and learning how to share your own with him in return. Learn to use your body language for both good and bad. Soon your horse will know when you are pleased or displeased by his actions without a harsh word having to be uttered. He will learn to watch for small signals that ask him for action, and you two will begin a long happy journey together, working as a team. True Horse-Man-RelationShip.
We have owned several rescue horses in the past that came to us because previous owners had abused them so badly that they were now believed to be beyond hope as riding horses. Most of them were victims of people who were too much cowboy and not enough man. Men (and women) who believed that you have to be dominant to be able to maintain respect from their horses. Owners who believed that to spare the rod would spoil the horse. In the end creating horses that had a severe mistrust of humans (who could blame them?) and who were considered lost causes. Most were headed to certain death or worse.
In almost all cases, as soon as we allowed the horse to just be a horse for a while, then started sharing his space only after he invited us in, and then after we'd gained his trust began slowly introducing training in a positive manner, we ended up with a horse that could be placed in a forever home with no problems.
Once you've begun the natural training process, you'll find yourself wanting to provide everything for your horse as naturally as possible. From his feed and diet supplements to his hoofcare. Since the dawn of their time, nature has provided everything a horse needed to survive. The least we can do is work with Mother Nature instead of against her!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Growing Herbs for Horses
Most people who enjoy sharing their life with horses also enjoy other outdoor activities, and for a great many of us, that includes gardening. I have always loved gardening with herbs and heirloom flowers, and enjoyed finding ways to incorporate the herbs in beneficial ways with the purebred dogs that I bred and exhibited. Now, I am having to relearn everything as my focus has narrowed on our horses.
When we moved from our old homestead, I left behind my herb garden. In the "new place" (how many years does it take before the 'new' wears off? We're in the 7th year now and I'm still not really settled in...of course, there were three generations of roots at the old place) I haven't been able to get anything really established, although I do have little "mini gardens" here and there with groupings of the herbs that I use the most. I have lots of friends who herb garden that luckily are generous with their clippings, and there's always my friends at www.herbalcom.com to fill in the gaps with affordable bulk priced herbs.
When you're choosing plants to grow in your garden, you'll need to do as much research as possible before you head for the nursery. There will sometimes be several species of the same plant available (if you're lucky and have a well stocked herb nursery nearby, certainly the array of possiblities online is staggering). The last year I had my old herb garden I had almost 20 different varities of mints in a special "mint garden" made up of different heights of concrete pipe standing on end on top of concrete blocks (mint likes to travel, and it likes to marry outside its race, so its roots must be kept contained and above ground as much as possible). Sometimes one variety of an herb may be more potent than others. Know your species!
Most herbs like sunny beds, so be sure to choose a spot for your herb garden that doesn't get more than a couple of hours a day of shade. When the plants are newly set out, they'll need lots of water and some tend to be very tender so may need temporary "roofs" made out of tented newspaper. (After they get stronger, simply tear up the newspaper and poke it beneath the mulch, it's a great source of vitamins for the soil.) If you set out plants before the last threat of frost is gone, cut the bottom out of milk jugs and large soda bottles and place the bottle over the plants. Remove the lids during the day and replace them at night. You can also make slow waterers out of small plastic soda bottles. Take a nail and punch small holes in the bottom of the bottle. Bury the bottle up to its neck near the roots of the plant. Remove the lid (they can be recycled) and fill with water. The water will soak out slowly to the roots and you can easily refill the bottle when it's empty. This is a great water saver as well, since y ou're not watering a lot of unnecessary area. This works for the garden, potted plants and hanging baskets using bottles of any shape or size.
If you're growing your own herbs, you have to absorb a lot more information than someone does who just opens a jar and measures. Different herbs must be harvested in different ways, including what part of the plant is beneficial and what is not. With some herbs you use just the seeds, flowers, roots, leaves or stems, and in some cases the whole plant. Some are most beneficial when fresh, some need to be dried. You'll also need to learn the best time to harvest each part. Some leaves should be picked early in the morning on sunny warm days, most roots can be dug almost anytime and stems should be picked according to how potent you want them to be. Before you begin harvesting, it takes a while to prepare a place for the drying or bottling and gathering the supplies that will be necessary.
During the year, I rinse out every small plastic or glass bottle and jar that I empty, run it through the dishwasher and store it in a box I keep under my sink. When it's time to harvest my herbs, I have a supply of interesting sizes and shapes of containers without having to purchase any. Recycling at its best! I ask friends to save me their baby food jars, fruit and veggy jars, wine bottles, even interesting shaped drink bottles. Everything has its use eventually.
I use a lot of herb vinegars for both human and horse consumption, so I try to keep a lot of wine bottles on hand. If I die in an accident and someone comes in to clean my home (may the Lord have mercy on their soul) they're going to be certain I was a closet wino, for I have box after box of wine bottles. I hope they notice that the labels have been removed (unless they were interesting or humorous) and they're washed and ready to be reused. I also am always on the lookout for good quality apple cider vinegar on sale, and when I find it I stock up. I'm sure an "outsider" might wonder why anyone would need 10 gallons of vinegar. Must be making a looooot of pickles! Remember when you're dealing with vinegar, that "icky" stuff that floats in it is a VERY good thing, and the more it has the better its healing qualities. That "ick" is called the "mother" and if you are lucky enough to have found vinegar that is growing it, you can take out small quantities of it and add it to wine, cider or cheaper vinegars to produce good quality vinegars.
One good standby vinegar for a tonic for daily feeding that will help build up a horse's immune system as well as aid digestion and increase strength in hooves contains apple cider vinegar, rosehips, garlic and fenugreek. Mix together well and store in a cool dry place. Feed a little more than a tablespoon for an average sized horse. If you have a horse that has kidney or bladder issues, try adding a bit of apple cider vinegar to his drinking water. Most horses love the taste, so they drink more which helps flush the system, and the acid in the vinegar helps heal the damage.
There are lots of different ways to "prepare" herbs for use - infusions, decoctions, tinctures, teas, fresh herbs, wilted herbs, dried herbs, poultices and compresses, salves and ointments, essential oils, and flower essences. There's no 'right way' or 'wrong way' there's only what works best for you. Do your research and ask a lot of questions, then do what fits your lifestyle, your horse's individual needs and in some cases, your pocketbook.
The most important thing to remember, whether you purchase your herbs or grow them, is to work with a veterinarian when diagnosing and treating your horses. Be sure you always tell your vet that you are treating with herbs, so he does not prescribe something that could have an adverse reaction. Some herb and drug combinations can have fatal results.
I firmly believe we are killing our planet with our careless use of pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other chemicals. Try to keep your herb garden as organic as possible. Certainly if you're a horse-owner you won't need to purchase any fertilizer!
Grow in good health!
When we moved from our old homestead, I left behind my herb garden. In the "new place" (how many years does it take before the 'new' wears off? We're in the 7th year now and I'm still not really settled in...of course, there were three generations of roots at the old place) I haven't been able to get anything really established, although I do have little "mini gardens" here and there with groupings of the herbs that I use the most. I have lots of friends who herb garden that luckily are generous with their clippings, and there's always my friends at www.herbalcom.com to fill in the gaps with affordable bulk priced herbs.
When you're choosing plants to grow in your garden, you'll need to do as much research as possible before you head for the nursery. There will sometimes be several species of the same plant available (if you're lucky and have a well stocked herb nursery nearby, certainly the array of possiblities online is staggering). The last year I had my old herb garden I had almost 20 different varities of mints in a special "mint garden" made up of different heights of concrete pipe standing on end on top of concrete blocks (mint likes to travel, and it likes to marry outside its race, so its roots must be kept contained and above ground as much as possible). Sometimes one variety of an herb may be more potent than others. Know your species!
Most herbs like sunny beds, so be sure to choose a spot for your herb garden that doesn't get more than a couple of hours a day of shade. When the plants are newly set out, they'll need lots of water and some tend to be very tender so may need temporary "roofs" made out of tented newspaper. (After they get stronger, simply tear up the newspaper and poke it beneath the mulch, it's a great source of vitamins for the soil.) If you set out plants before the last threat of frost is gone, cut the bottom out of milk jugs and large soda bottles and place the bottle over the plants. Remove the lids during the day and replace them at night. You can also make slow waterers out of small plastic soda bottles. Take a nail and punch small holes in the bottom of the bottle. Bury the bottle up to its neck near the roots of the plant. Remove the lid (they can be recycled) and fill with water. The water will soak out slowly to the roots and you can easily refill the bottle when it's empty. This is a great water saver as well, since y ou're not watering a lot of unnecessary area. This works for the garden, potted plants and hanging baskets using bottles of any shape or size.
If you're growing your own herbs, you have to absorb a lot more information than someone does who just opens a jar and measures. Different herbs must be harvested in different ways, including what part of the plant is beneficial and what is not. With some herbs you use just the seeds, flowers, roots, leaves or stems, and in some cases the whole plant. Some are most beneficial when fresh, some need to be dried. You'll also need to learn the best time to harvest each part. Some leaves should be picked early in the morning on sunny warm days, most roots can be dug almost anytime and stems should be picked according to how potent you want them to be. Before you begin harvesting, it takes a while to prepare a place for the drying or bottling and gathering the supplies that will be necessary.
During the year, I rinse out every small plastic or glass bottle and jar that I empty, run it through the dishwasher and store it in a box I keep under my sink. When it's time to harvest my herbs, I have a supply of interesting sizes and shapes of containers without having to purchase any. Recycling at its best! I ask friends to save me their baby food jars, fruit and veggy jars, wine bottles, even interesting shaped drink bottles. Everything has its use eventually.
I use a lot of herb vinegars for both human and horse consumption, so I try to keep a lot of wine bottles on hand. If I die in an accident and someone comes in to clean my home (may the Lord have mercy on their soul) they're going to be certain I was a closet wino, for I have box after box of wine bottles. I hope they notice that the labels have been removed (unless they were interesting or humorous) and they're washed and ready to be reused. I also am always on the lookout for good quality apple cider vinegar on sale, and when I find it I stock up. I'm sure an "outsider" might wonder why anyone would need 10 gallons of vinegar. Must be making a looooot of pickles! Remember when you're dealing with vinegar, that "icky" stuff that floats in it is a VERY good thing, and the more it has the better its healing qualities. That "ick" is called the "mother" and if you are lucky enough to have found vinegar that is growing it, you can take out small quantities of it and add it to wine, cider or cheaper vinegars to produce good quality vinegars.
One good standby vinegar for a tonic for daily feeding that will help build up a horse's immune system as well as aid digestion and increase strength in hooves contains apple cider vinegar, rosehips, garlic and fenugreek. Mix together well and store in a cool dry place. Feed a little more than a tablespoon for an average sized horse. If you have a horse that has kidney or bladder issues, try adding a bit of apple cider vinegar to his drinking water. Most horses love the taste, so they drink more which helps flush the system, and the acid in the vinegar helps heal the damage.
There are lots of different ways to "prepare" herbs for use - infusions, decoctions, tinctures, teas, fresh herbs, wilted herbs, dried herbs, poultices and compresses, salves and ointments, essential oils, and flower essences. There's no 'right way' or 'wrong way' there's only what works best for you. Do your research and ask a lot of questions, then do what fits your lifestyle, your horse's individual needs and in some cases, your pocketbook.
The most important thing to remember, whether you purchase your herbs or grow them, is to work with a veterinarian when diagnosing and treating your horses. Be sure you always tell your vet that you are treating with herbs, so he does not prescribe something that could have an adverse reaction. Some herb and drug combinations can have fatal results.
I firmly believe we are killing our planet with our careless use of pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other chemicals. Try to keep your herb garden as organic as possible. Certainly if you're a horse-owner you won't need to purchase any fertilizer!
Grow in good health!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Dr. Nature I Presume?
One of the things of which I am most proud in my life is that I have been able to help make a difference to some very deserving animals that were destined for death or worse.
When a newcomer arrives that is distrustful of humans and other animals and is unable to believe his good fortune in waking up into a world with plenty to eat and little to fear, the first thing we do is not to smother him with kindness or stuff him with tasty tidbits, but simply put him in a natural landscape and allow him to assimilate all the new knowledge of his surroundings.
With little fanfare, he is given plenty of grass, a few flakes of hay and a full barrel of clean water. We allow him to stay there a day or two, either alone or with a well-socialized horse, before attempting any kind of physical contact that he doesn't ask for. (If a horse is yearning for attention, they let you know without any doubt, and of course we are all ready to step in and offer as much as they can handle!)
Nature can heal wounds that many of us may not even know exist. I know when my soul is damaged or my heart is aching, a walk in the woods can bring a peace when nothing else can. Listening to bird song is greater therapy than any professional can give, and the feel of the breeze across your face is far more relaxing than any masseuse's fingers. Hearing the leaves crunch beneath your feet is therapeutic as well, as is sitting in a patch of wildflowers feeling the sun on your face. Whatever life doles out, nature can counter if you give her a chance.
We have seen horses heal from wounds that should have killed them, and recover from abuse that we had thought had surely damaged their psyche for life. While we are proud of our part in the healing, we can actully take almost no credit for ourselves. We simply exposed them to a natural lifestyle and let them heal themselves. We were there to offer support and daily maintenance, but nature provided the rest. We are constantly seeking new information and learning old ways to provide the things that have been removed from a "modern horse's" life. We urge everyone we meet to "try natural first" from training to diet to daily maintenance.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" indeed, but a few teaspoons of this, a tablespoon of that and a little pinch of those helps make everything better still. :)
Right now, we're trying to get everyone fat and happy before winter sets in. With hay at an all-time low around the southeast, our horses may have to rely on bagged grains and pellets to get through at least the last part of winter. For now, we're building and fixing fences on our home property and moving everyone we can up to feast on the bermuda grass and fescue along with a plethora of wild herbs and other beneficial flora. We expect to see some bemused and grateful faces as they realize what bounty is being set before them.
We give thanks too...for being given this chance to "make a difference."
When a newcomer arrives that is distrustful of humans and other animals and is unable to believe his good fortune in waking up into a world with plenty to eat and little to fear, the first thing we do is not to smother him with kindness or stuff him with tasty tidbits, but simply put him in a natural landscape and allow him to assimilate all the new knowledge of his surroundings.
With little fanfare, he is given plenty of grass, a few flakes of hay and a full barrel of clean water. We allow him to stay there a day or two, either alone or with a well-socialized horse, before attempting any kind of physical contact that he doesn't ask for. (If a horse is yearning for attention, they let you know without any doubt, and of course we are all ready to step in and offer as much as they can handle!)
Nature can heal wounds that many of us may not even know exist. I know when my soul is damaged or my heart is aching, a walk in the woods can bring a peace when nothing else can. Listening to bird song is greater therapy than any professional can give, and the feel of the breeze across your face is far more relaxing than any masseuse's fingers. Hearing the leaves crunch beneath your feet is therapeutic as well, as is sitting in a patch of wildflowers feeling the sun on your face. Whatever life doles out, nature can counter if you give her a chance.
We have seen horses heal from wounds that should have killed them, and recover from abuse that we had thought had surely damaged their psyche for life. While we are proud of our part in the healing, we can actully take almost no credit for ourselves. We simply exposed them to a natural lifestyle and let them heal themselves. We were there to offer support and daily maintenance, but nature provided the rest. We are constantly seeking new information and learning old ways to provide the things that have been removed from a "modern horse's" life. We urge everyone we meet to "try natural first" from training to diet to daily maintenance.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" indeed, but a few teaspoons of this, a tablespoon of that and a little pinch of those helps make everything better still. :)
Right now, we're trying to get everyone fat and happy before winter sets in. With hay at an all-time low around the southeast, our horses may have to rely on bagged grains and pellets to get through at least the last part of winter. For now, we're building and fixing fences on our home property and moving everyone we can up to feast on the bermuda grass and fescue along with a plethora of wild herbs and other beneficial flora. We expect to see some bemused and grateful faces as they realize what bounty is being set before them.
We give thanks too...for being given this chance to "make a difference."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Remember to Forget
The biggest part of being a good horse owner is simply realizing what your horses really need. The small things that mean the least to you are likely the things that mean the most to them.
Remember that they don't really care how fancy and expensive the saddle is that sits on their back, and they don't care if their saddle blanket is new, so long as their old one was comfortable. They couldn't care less if their halter matches their blanket, or if their tack is all oiled and shiny. They aren't going to be embarrassed to drive up at a ride or a show in a trailer with a little rust showing. They don't care if you wear designer jeans, or where you bought your boots. They probably wouldn't notice the difference if you showed up naked. They only notice that you showed up. They don't notice if their tack is dusty or worn or old or mismatching. They only notice that the hands that fasten that tack to their body stops working occasionally to pat them. They don't care if your hair is brushed or that you have on no makeup. They only notice when your face has a smile for them.
Don't get so caught up in horse ownership that you forget about the horse. The most important thing to remember when you own a horse (or any other animal for that matter) is to focus on what really matters. To them! Forget what the neighbors might think if you ride by their house on a horse with a pink striped halter and red plaid blanket. Stop caring so much about whether other saddle club members are going to say if your tack is a little dusty. No matter how busy you get, remember to spend quiet time with your horse. Work with him often so you continue to be a team, and remind him that you are his best friend.
They say the best way to learn to train a horse is to first learn how a horse thinks. Once you've done that, all the matching tack in the world won't matter to you, because you'll realize what is truly important. The welcome post when you join Yahoo's "Healthy Horse" E-Group packs a lot of thought in one line in the sig file "A horse doesn't care how much you know, but he does need to know how much you care"
We're busy here getting the horses moved into winter pasturing, so my posts may be a little shorter and not as sweet for a while. Am impending tax audit for the stable certainly isn't adding any time to my schedule. Please send positive thoughts this Friday. *shivering*
Remember that they don't really care how fancy and expensive the saddle is that sits on their back, and they don't care if their saddle blanket is new, so long as their old one was comfortable. They couldn't care less if their halter matches their blanket, or if their tack is all oiled and shiny. They aren't going to be embarrassed to drive up at a ride or a show in a trailer with a little rust showing. They don't care if you wear designer jeans, or where you bought your boots. They probably wouldn't notice the difference if you showed up naked. They only notice that you showed up. They don't notice if their tack is dusty or worn or old or mismatching. They only notice that the hands that fasten that tack to their body stops working occasionally to pat them. They don't care if your hair is brushed or that you have on no makeup. They only notice when your face has a smile for them.
Don't get so caught up in horse ownership that you forget about the horse. The most important thing to remember when you own a horse (or any other animal for that matter) is to focus on what really matters. To them! Forget what the neighbors might think if you ride by their house on a horse with a pink striped halter and red plaid blanket. Stop caring so much about whether other saddle club members are going to say if your tack is a little dusty. No matter how busy you get, remember to spend quiet time with your horse. Work with him often so you continue to be a team, and remind him that you are his best friend.
They say the best way to learn to train a horse is to first learn how a horse thinks. Once you've done that, all the matching tack in the world won't matter to you, because you'll realize what is truly important. The welcome post when you join Yahoo's "Healthy Horse" E-Group packs a lot of thought in one line in the sig file "A horse doesn't care how much you know, but he does need to know how much you care"
We're busy here getting the horses moved into winter pasturing, so my posts may be a little shorter and not as sweet for a while. Am impending tax audit for the stable certainly isn't adding any time to my schedule. Please send positive thoughts this Friday. *shivering*
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