you accidentally touch it and it sits you on your butt!
I used to have an old quarter horse/morgan gelding who would walk thorough any electric fence that you could put up. Most days he was fine. Then, once or twice a month, he would decide that the grass was greener and more delicious on the other side of the fence - namely my parent's front lawn. He would walk through the electric fence, little puffs of smoke coming off his chest and leaving little bare spots. I went through three electric fencers before I found one that would make him think twice. It was a 20 acre steer fencer on 2 1/2 acres of pasture. He would still go through it - but only about once every other month. I miss that old man. He was the sweetest horse.
When I first got him, he was adopted through a VT horse adoption group. I went 2 hours north with my three girls -then ages 5, 7 and 9 - and met Shiloh and Chris, the lady who ran the adoption group. Shiloh was a horse who was being re-homed because the husband didn't want the wife to keep him any more. (I know for sure I got the best part of that argument!) He was a horse that was raised alone, without any horses. He would lap up water like a dog. He was afraid of men. AND he would eat ALL the shavings in his stall. He wasn't young, either. When I got him he was in his mid 20's.
This was the best first horse in the world. He loved the girls and was so gentle and careful around them. Nothing would faze him. Not loud horns, sirens, screaming, nothing! The girls learned to ride on him. He did best in just a regular halter with a couple of lead ropes... he was as round as a barrel... was kinda like riding on a comfy couch. When he decided that he had enough, he would drop his head to eat and no amount of convincing, pulling or encouragement would make him lift his head from the grass.
We taught each other a lot. I taught him that all men aren't scary. It took hundreds of carrots and tons of patience on my husband's part, but Shiloh came to like men. Especially men with carrots. I learned many ways to keep a stall clean and dry in the winter. I would mix peat moss and shavings - a little heavier on the peat moss. It got to the point that I could mix it half and half. I don't know that we ever got to the point that I could used just straight shavings. He would make a regular diet of them if you left the bag out where he could reach it. He taught me what true, unselfish love was. The mother of three small children, two part-time jobs and a busy husband, he was my shoulder to cry on, someone I could tell anything to and he would just nuzzle me and nicker and understand that sometimes you don't need answers. You just need a furry, warm shoulder to snuggle in to. I just got a new book. I haven't read it all, but the title captured me - "Sometimes a woman just needs a horse." I absolutely couldn't agree more!
I had Shiloh for about 7 years. He was almost 32 when we gently laid him to rest in the pasture. The vet came out because he was collecting liquid in a pouch between his front legs and she told me he was in the last stages of congestive heart failure. So, within a couple of days, all the arrangements were made. Aba shares the resting place with him - in his favorite sleeping spot in the pasture. I miss those two horses so much some days that my heart hurts.
Anyway, that's why the fence set me on my butt today. Thanks to Shiloh, I very, very (knocking on wood here) rarely ever have to worry about the horses - even the little pony - getting out of my fence. Or anyone else getting IN!
:)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Spring is HERE!
Hi, everyone! I'm back. Spring is HERE!!!!
How can I tell? The horses are great furry monsters who are shedding all over the place and the mud is everywhere - mostly on the horses! I'm fixing fence, picking up stuff that was buried under the snow all winter and cleaning out the barn. Opening doors and windows, cleaning up corners and getting ready to go riding this week.
The unfortunate part is that my father did pass away on Monday, March 23. The wake was Thursday, the funeral on Friday. Many relatives not seen for a while were all in attendance. So, it's been a whirlwind for the past 4 weeks. Thanks for being patient with me.
So, I'm up this morning, puttering around the house and now headed outside in the warm sunshine to start working on fencing. Need to get things hooked back up that I unhooked in the middle of winter.
So, I'll be back later tonight. Sunshine is wasting away and I want to be outside and warm my winter-cold bones with daylight!
:)
How can I tell? The horses are great furry monsters who are shedding all over the place and the mud is everywhere - mostly on the horses! I'm fixing fence, picking up stuff that was buried under the snow all winter and cleaning out the barn. Opening doors and windows, cleaning up corners and getting ready to go riding this week.
The unfortunate part is that my father did pass away on Monday, March 23. The wake was Thursday, the funeral on Friday. Many relatives not seen for a while were all in attendance. So, it's been a whirlwind for the past 4 weeks. Thanks for being patient with me.
So, I'm up this morning, puttering around the house and now headed outside in the warm sunshine to start working on fencing. Need to get things hooked back up that I unhooked in the middle of winter.
So, I'll be back later tonight. Sunshine is wasting away and I want to be outside and warm my winter-cold bones with daylight!
:)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
I'll be back...
Dealing with a family emergency. I'll be back as soon as things get back to normal. My father has had a series of strokes and is in his last days. We are trying to make him as comfortable as possible. So, not much access to sleep, food or internet, or the brain power to write up something.
Entertain yourself with www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com. I have had a few moments to read her latest posts and she is keeping me entertained!
Lynn :)
Entertain yourself with www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com. I have had a few moments to read her latest posts and she is keeping me entertained!
Lynn :)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
We need more Vets like this lady!
All I can say is "AMEN!" We need more vets and people like this Vet! It's a lifestyle and choice that I make for my horses and wish all others would do the same.
Equine Vet Speaks Out Against Horse Slaughter
By Lisa Carter, DVM
I am a horse person, a true horse person. I get up every morning at the break of dawn, put on my coveralls, boots, hat, gloves, and winter parka to trudge across the snowy yard to take care of my horses. I feed them, water them, turn them out, clean their stalls, and give them the love that they deserve.
True horse people are responsible horse owners—but not all horse owners are horse people. Some people treat their horses like a commodity. They ride and feed their horses, pay for veterinary and farrier care, and brag about them.
The big difference between true horse people and horse owners is the long-term responsibility they take for their horses. True horse people care about their horses, even when they no longer own them or they are no longer "useful."
Taking Responsibility
I currently have a 27-year-old Arabian gelding that I showed competitively on the Class A Arabian show circuit. We won many ribbons and reserve championships. Over time, he became old and arthritic, insulin intolerant, and I was no longer able to ride him.
The easiest manner of getting rid of this responsibility would be to ship him off to an auction house where he would be sold for slaughter. I would make about $200 off the deal and be rid of this high-maintenance horse.
But I am a true horse person. I take the responsibility of horse ownership seriously and know that it is a lifelong commitment. I know that when my geriatric horse's quality of life is gone, I will humanely euthanize him by chemical injection. It is the least that I can do for this wonderful animal.
Easy Way Out
Some horse owners take the easy route to rid themselves of "useless" horses. They send their horse to an auction. He or she is left in a pen for 12-24 hours without food or water, packed up into another trailer (sometimes a double-decker cattle trailer), and hauled hundreds of miles—still without food or water—often incurring injuries during the ride due to the overcrowding.
An American horse enters the kill box at a Mexican slaughter plant. These horses arrive at a slaughterhouse, which is designed for cattle, in deplorable conditions and are forced into the plant to endure a terrible and painful death.
If they are lucky, they will only be struck in the head once with a captive bolt before their subsequent death. Most are not so lucky. Some very unfortunate horses end up in Mexico, where they are stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an effort to sever the spinal cord. These horses are paralyzed while being butchered, but still fully conscious.
Options are Available
I realize that not everyone has the financial ability to keep a horse that is no longer useful or is in poor health, but shipping a horse off to a slaughterhouse for a quick buck is simply wrong.
There are many options for people that are financially unable to care for their horses—they can relinquish their horse to a rescue organization, sell their horse to a carefully vetted private owner, donate their horse to a riding center, or have a veterinarian humanely euthanize their horse.
What You Can Do
As well as being a true horse person, I am also an equine veterinarian. I cancelled my membership to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) because I do not agree with their pro-slaughter stance. Their position on slaughter mirrors that of big money making organizations like the American Quarter Horse Association, whose members often use slaughter as a quick and easy way of disposing of "useless" horses while making a quick buck.
Currently there is a bill going through Congress, H.R. 503, known as the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, which would make it illegal to slaughter American horses for human consumption overseas, as well as ban the export of horses for slaughter.
I beg all of you, especially true horse people, to contact your Congressman and urge them to pass this bill. Horses deserve to be treated in a humane manner—H.R. 503 will make this inhumane manner of horse disposal a thing of the past.
Dr. Lisa Carter is a veterinarian and avid horse enthusiast and owner.
See: http://www.hsvma.org/advocacy/news/equine_vet_speaks_out.html
Equine Vet Speaks Out Against Horse Slaughter
By Lisa Carter, DVM
I am a horse person, a true horse person. I get up every morning at the break of dawn, put on my coveralls, boots, hat, gloves, and winter parka to trudge across the snowy yard to take care of my horses. I feed them, water them, turn them out, clean their stalls, and give them the love that they deserve.
True horse people are responsible horse owners—but not all horse owners are horse people. Some people treat their horses like a commodity. They ride and feed their horses, pay for veterinary and farrier care, and brag about them.
The big difference between true horse people and horse owners is the long-term responsibility they take for their horses. True horse people care about their horses, even when they no longer own them or they are no longer "useful."
Taking Responsibility
I currently have a 27-year-old Arabian gelding that I showed competitively on the Class A Arabian show circuit. We won many ribbons and reserve championships. Over time, he became old and arthritic, insulin intolerant, and I was no longer able to ride him.
The easiest manner of getting rid of this responsibility would be to ship him off to an auction house where he would be sold for slaughter. I would make about $200 off the deal and be rid of this high-maintenance horse.
But I am a true horse person. I take the responsibility of horse ownership seriously and know that it is a lifelong commitment. I know that when my geriatric horse's quality of life is gone, I will humanely euthanize him by chemical injection. It is the least that I can do for this wonderful animal.
Easy Way Out
Some horse owners take the easy route to rid themselves of "useless" horses. They send their horse to an auction. He or she is left in a pen for 12-24 hours without food or water, packed up into another trailer (sometimes a double-decker cattle trailer), and hauled hundreds of miles—still without food or water—often incurring injuries during the ride due to the overcrowding.
An American horse enters the kill box at a Mexican slaughter plant. These horses arrive at a slaughterhouse, which is designed for cattle, in deplorable conditions and are forced into the plant to endure a terrible and painful death.
If they are lucky, they will only be struck in the head once with a captive bolt before their subsequent death. Most are not so lucky. Some very unfortunate horses end up in Mexico, where they are stabbed repeatedly in the neck in an effort to sever the spinal cord. These horses are paralyzed while being butchered, but still fully conscious.
Options are Available
I realize that not everyone has the financial ability to keep a horse that is no longer useful or is in poor health, but shipping a horse off to a slaughterhouse for a quick buck is simply wrong.
There are many options for people that are financially unable to care for their horses—they can relinquish their horse to a rescue organization, sell their horse to a carefully vetted private owner, donate their horse to a riding center, or have a veterinarian humanely euthanize their horse.
What You Can Do
As well as being a true horse person, I am also an equine veterinarian. I cancelled my membership to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) because I do not agree with their pro-slaughter stance. Their position on slaughter mirrors that of big money making organizations like the American Quarter Horse Association, whose members often use slaughter as a quick and easy way of disposing of "useless" horses while making a quick buck.
Currently there is a bill going through Congress, H.R. 503, known as the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, which would make it illegal to slaughter American horses for human consumption overseas, as well as ban the export of horses for slaughter.
I beg all of you, especially true horse people, to contact your Congressman and urge them to pass this bill. Horses deserve to be treated in a humane manner—H.R. 503 will make this inhumane manner of horse disposal a thing of the past.
Dr. Lisa Carter is a veterinarian and avid horse enthusiast and owner.
See: http://www.hsvma.org/advocacy/news/equine_vet_speaks_out.html
Friday, March 13, 2009
Where, oh, where, is spring???
Ohy, vey. Where did the warm weather go? I am so waiting for spring to be here and stop teasing us. I LOVE it when the snow is melting and the sun is shining and the eaves are dripping. Now, tonight, it's 23 degrees and I have started the wood stove upstairs - AGAIN! Argh!!!
The boys are loving it. They are running around in the sun, enjoying the warmth. There is nothing in all the world that smells quite as nice as a sun-warmed horse neck. Bliss. If I could bottle that smell, I might just be the richest woman in the world.
So, for those of you out there that are horse lovers and have a little time, I have a project and a challenge for you. Find a local horse person. Volunteer to clean stalls. Brush the horse. Make a friend with the owner and the horse. Not only will the owner and the horse love it, but it will make you feel GREAT! Volunteer at a shelter if you aren't able to work with a horse. Take a dog for a walk. Brush a cat. Share your love with another animal.
No, I'm not asking you to feed it. Or adopt it. (Unless you have the finances and experience to do so!) Just share some human warmth and companionship with an animal who will return your love unconditionally and thousands time over.
:) Looking forward to tomorrow's sun and warmth and going to see if I can add to MY fur coat!!!
The boys are loving it. They are running around in the sun, enjoying the warmth. There is nothing in all the world that smells quite as nice as a sun-warmed horse neck. Bliss. If I could bottle that smell, I might just be the richest woman in the world.
So, for those of you out there that are horse lovers and have a little time, I have a project and a challenge for you. Find a local horse person. Volunteer to clean stalls. Brush the horse. Make a friend with the owner and the horse. Not only will the owner and the horse love it, but it will make you feel GREAT! Volunteer at a shelter if you aren't able to work with a horse. Take a dog for a walk. Brush a cat. Share your love with another animal.
No, I'm not asking you to feed it. Or adopt it. (Unless you have the finances and experience to do so!) Just share some human warmth and companionship with an animal who will return your love unconditionally and thousands time over.
:) Looking forward to tomorrow's sun and warmth and going to see if I can add to MY fur coat!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Looking for a Horse?
This is truly the time if you are interested in getting a horse. Look at the auction prices. Horses that are in their teens, trained up the wazoo to ride AND drive are going for around $175 average. Pick your flavor and type. It's hard to even GIVE a nice trained horse away these days.
DON'T just take a horse because you 'can.' If you don't know what you are doing, work with someone who does. Someone who is trustworthy and honest. That has the horses and your best interest at heart. Just look in the newspapers an online if you think that 'just anyone' can "OWN" a horse. If you don't believe me, just do a search.
If you do have the location, and means, to get a horse, here are some sites - there are literally dozens for little (under $500) or no cost at all. Go visit them. With a horse person. Make sure you get what you are looking for, because, in most cases, you can't give them back if something isn't right. Don't get suckered into 'well I felt sorry for it' if you don't know what you are doing and don't have the finances to sink a LOT of money into a horse that may or may not live. Or be anything you can, eventually, use. It's a lot like buying a car. Don't buy a micro-mini if you need a dump truck.
Ok, here are some of the sites I have collected:
dreamhorse.com
equinenow.com
equinehits.com
equine.com
craigslist.com
getyourhorse.com
horsetopia.com
horseville.com
horseclicks.com
horseweb.com
horsetraders.com
horsecity.com
horseheadquarters.com
kijiji.com
bestpony.com
bestequine.com
drafts4sale.com
petfinder.com
horsefinders.com
palouseads.com
cowboyway.com
livedeal.com
If you come up with others, let me know.
ALSO - do a search. There is usually a rescue or two in your area that has horses or knows of horses in need of a good home.
For the New England Area, visit http://www.newenglandequinerescues.com/
Specifically for Vermont, go to www.SpringHillRescue.com
Check out their horses. Visit their web sites. Check on their non-profit status. Make sure you are giving money to a reputable place. There are many scam artists out there. Don't buy something you can't put your hands on and check out for yourself.
To locate others, visit http://www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/ and there is a list on the side of the blog. They also do a Friday Featured Rescue.
:)
DON'T just take a horse because you 'can.' If you don't know what you are doing, work with someone who does. Someone who is trustworthy and honest. That has the horses and your best interest at heart. Just look in the newspapers an online if you think that 'just anyone' can "OWN" a horse. If you don't believe me, just do a search.
If you do have the location, and means, to get a horse, here are some sites - there are literally dozens for little (under $500) or no cost at all. Go visit them. With a horse person. Make sure you get what you are looking for, because, in most cases, you can't give them back if something isn't right. Don't get suckered into 'well I felt sorry for it' if you don't know what you are doing and don't have the finances to sink a LOT of money into a horse that may or may not live. Or be anything you can, eventually, use. It's a lot like buying a car. Don't buy a micro-mini if you need a dump truck.
Ok, here are some of the sites I have collected:
dreamhorse.com
equinenow.com
equinehits.com
equine.com
craigslist.com
getyourhorse.com
horsetopia.com
horseville.com
horseclicks.com
horseweb.com
horsetraders.com
horsecity.com
horseheadquarters.com
kijiji.com
bestpony.com
bestequine.com
drafts4sale.com
petfinder.com
horsefinders.com
palouseads.com
cowboyway.com
livedeal.com
If you come up with others, let me know.
ALSO - do a search. There is usually a rescue or two in your area that has horses or knows of horses in need of a good home.
For the New England Area, visit http://www.newenglandequinerescues.com/
Specifically for Vermont, go to www.SpringHillRescue.com
Check out their horses. Visit their web sites. Check on their non-profit status. Make sure you are giving money to a reputable place. There are many scam artists out there. Don't buy something you can't put your hands on and check out for yourself.
To locate others, visit http://www.fuglyhorseoftheday.blogspot.com/ and there is a list on the side of the blog. They also do a Friday Featured Rescue.
:)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
When Life Hands you Lemons...
If we are supposed to make lemonade, then, honey, we have enough of a supply to last us well through Labor Day.
The horses are fine, the girls are fine. The husband is still alive and living in the same house. Barely.
Personal crisis up the wa-zoo.
THE one good note - set your clocks forward at 2 am. :) Spring is going to spring on us one of these days. Of course, our weather forecast is for rain, snow, sleet. But mostly rain at our elevation.
Horses, horses and more horses are in the market place and on the list for auctions. If you were thinking of buying or getting a horse, it's your time. People are having a most difficult time GIVING trained, sane, safe horses away.
Due to the economy, the lack of work, the foreclosures, the animals are on the first line of 'disposable' things in people's lives. If you have the means, support your local rescues or humane societys. If you can foster, donate, socialize, educate or volunteer, now is the time that we have the most need.
Hang in there. I don't think we've hit bottom yet, but hope that we are close enough to call it. Things will get better. They always do.
Be greatful and appreciate all you do have. There are so many out there that don't even have the basics.
So, while I am whining that it's not spring yet and the snow is still coming, those might be pennies from heaven for those that plow. Ignore me and my belly-aching. I truly have it good. And I do most humbly appreciate it.
IF you need help with your horses, go to www.newenglandequinerescues.com and find the help page. DO NOT let your animals suffer. There is someone who will help.
:)
The horses are fine, the girls are fine. The husband is still alive and living in the same house. Barely.
Personal crisis up the wa-zoo.
THE one good note - set your clocks forward at 2 am. :) Spring is going to spring on us one of these days. Of course, our weather forecast is for rain, snow, sleet. But mostly rain at our elevation.
Horses, horses and more horses are in the market place and on the list for auctions. If you were thinking of buying or getting a horse, it's your time. People are having a most difficult time GIVING trained, sane, safe horses away.
Due to the economy, the lack of work, the foreclosures, the animals are on the first line of 'disposable' things in people's lives. If you have the means, support your local rescues or humane societys. If you can foster, donate, socialize, educate or volunteer, now is the time that we have the most need.
Hang in there. I don't think we've hit bottom yet, but hope that we are close enough to call it. Things will get better. They always do.
Be greatful and appreciate all you do have. There are so many out there that don't even have the basics.
So, while I am whining that it's not spring yet and the snow is still coming, those might be pennies from heaven for those that plow. Ignore me and my belly-aching. I truly have it good. And I do most humbly appreciate it.
IF you need help with your horses, go to www.newenglandequinerescues.com and find the help page. DO NOT let your animals suffer. There is someone who will help.
:)
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