07.02.09
2009 Surefire Horse Trials Intermediate XC
I just love watching eventers… thanks to buzzterbrown on youTube.
Interesting that somewhere else in the country it’s NOT raining!
Penny 5– Orphaned filly given a new mom!
(This is one of several ongoing questions and replies… (see other posts on Penny for more reports)
JUNE’S UPDATE (July 2):
Another update on Penny. She is almost 3 months old now. She leads well, stands fantastic, loves to be groomed and will even stand untied for that. She picks up her feet when told to (hand just above hoof and say ‘Up”), pretty well.
Another interesting aspect to her environment and care. I had begun looking for another horse (preferably mare) or another foal (orphaned like her, or maybe close to her age) in order to provide her with some sort of equine company. We have two weaned calves and she actually had semi-bonded with them, following them around and even laying down with them, but I wanted another horse so that she could specifically learn ‘horse behavior.’
Well, yesterday, I was able to obtain a 23 yr old Arabian mare (very cheap) in very good health (she needs her hooves properly trimmed, and some consistent feeding and grooming, plus needed worming badly). She is also very rideable (even for a beginning rider - my daughter). My farrier went with me to pick her up so he could check her out first-hand before I actually brought her home, and also took her to his place first to test her manageability and riding. She passed everything with flying colors, and also demonstrated she may be in heat, and - per her vocal responses to his other horses, indicated she is a ‘dominant mare.’
When she first entered our small pasture, she made it vocally clear she was in charge- causing Penny to react in fright and run from her (along with the calves). A while later, she settled to pacing the east end of the fence (which she still does some today, but not as much) because of horses she could smell and sense that are ‘down the road’ from us. Today, to our surprise (and pleasure), it appears she has ‘adopted’ the filly and is even allowing her to ‘nurse’ from her (even though she’s dry).
Now, Penny was used to dry-nursing from her Dam before we got her (her Dam had dried up a couple of days after foaling), so she is very much in her comfort zone to be doing this. I have no idea if this will stimulate milk in the mare or not, but at the very least, the mare (named Cricket) has literally become Penny’s surrogate mother in all but providing milk at this time - to the point she actually ‘protects’ her from the calves when they try to come up and play with Penny as they’ve been used to.
What do you think of this situation. I’m thinking it’s a very healthy thing for both horses - but especially for Penny.
Thanks,
June
CONNIE’S REPLY:
June
Actually I think that is pretty awesome! It sounds like the mare is willing to teach Penny horse language (and not going to be aggressive towards her, as might have happened) so that is perfect for Penny. I’m thinking that the mare has had a previous foal. I would doubt that dry nursing would cause the mare to lactate, but who knows?– except a vet perhaps. I suppose stranger things have happened. Obviously Cricket’s motherly hormones have kicked in. It will be interesting to observe, as are all the filly’s learning experiences.
Penny will learn a lot from the mare regarding behavior around people too, and all her other behavior, so it is good that the mare is people-friendly. If the mare needs brushing up on any handling skills, I would focus on that too. If she’s ready to hop on and ride, you can begin to pony Penny and help her learn many new things with confidence. Bear in mind that now you might not be able to separate them, so practice riding on the mare might need to be done in the pasture or pen if you have to get used to riding her. PLEASE do not take the mare out of the pen without Penny because she might panic and run at the barb wire!!!
As to separation, I’m wondering if they will need a “weaning” period, just for the benefit of the foal learning to be independent of her new mother? I have no idea, except that if Cricket SHOULD start lactating, you will definitely have to wean Penny. We weaned our boys at 5-6 months, 6 months was definitely later than it needed to be. I suppose you can at some point start doing gradual separations and see how they are with that.
This is of some concern because they are going to be/already are/ very attached to each other, and if you ever wanted to do something with one of them separate from the other it could potentially be a real problem. I can tell you that in my experience, mares usually become quite attached to each other. Although that can vary too… just something to think about. If you always planned to take them both out together I guess it’s nothing to be overly concerned about.
For NOW, if the mare is easy to lead, you can lead them (or ride & pony) both out into the world! As I have said before, I feel that taking our boys out as foals and exposing them to all sorts of new things was WONDERFUL for them and helped them be very steady horses. Of course, there’s a potential down side… if the mare was really spooky about something, the foal might be too and learn to fear it– but that won’t necessarily happen. I’m glad you found an older mare who has been around the block a few times!
Best of luck in your continued progress, and thanks for all updates. I hope you can send some pictures sometime!
(Here are some links to more info…)
video of foal being trained
my blogs about handling
desensitizing
my blogs about ponying
Horses React to Human Heart Rates, Study Finds
From theHorse.com by: Nancy Zacks
July 01 2009, Article # 14464
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An increase in a human’s heart rate affects the heart rate of the horse they are leading or riding, researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences recently reported.
Linda Keeling, PhD, and colleagues tested horses and riders to see if humans inadvertently communicate fear and anxiety to horses. Using heart rate as a fear indicator, the researchers asked 20 people with varying levels of horse experience to walk and ride 10 horses from Point A to Point B four times. The researchers told participants an umbrella would open as they rode or led the horse on the fourth pass. The umbrella never opened, but heart rates in both horses and humans increased during the fourth trip between the points, when the human expected the umbrella to open.
“The increase in the horses’ heart rates probably means that they are more alert and prepared to react to any potential danger,” Keeling said. “In the wild, horses are adapted to respond to other animals in their group. A startle reaction is more likely when the horse is very alert.”
If you are a nervous person leading or riding a horse, your nervousness might increase the likelihood of the “spook” that you are anxious to avoid.
The study, “Investigating horse-human interactions: the effect of a nervous human,” was published in the July 2009 issue of The Veterinary Journal. The abstract is available on PubMed.
07.01.09
Rowing shell on Lake Winnipesaukee
Recently I took Horse Gal for a row on Saunders Bay. We’re in my Alden ocean shell, a 14-foot “double” with one sliding seat rowing machine and nine-foot oars. This day in June was dreary and drizzly, but pretty calm flat water so good for rowing. Just about every day in June has been rainy this month in New Hampshire.
Bear Brook Drive/Ride features beautiful break in weather
We should always get so lucky! In the middle of weeks of almost continuous rain, Saturday June 13 was gloriously beautiful for the GSCA’s Drive/Ride in Bear Brook State Park, Allenstown, NH. 19 registrants went out to enjoy dirt roads and some trails, meandering through a Depression-era campground where some people spend all summer and even grow a victory garden… ambling past a few small ponds… exploring dirt roads or the rougher “Broken Boulder” woods trail.
Glen with Gilford at the trailer, preparing for harnessing.
Claudia L. (at left) checks in drivers and explains the route.
We had them all matching to each other and to our shirts. Note Hubby’s driving apron.
Several riders enjoyed the beautiful day as well.
Along the drive we pass a shetland pony put to a pony cart. He is so cute! Once we got past, the pony booked it right along and kept right behind us, and eventually repassed us and went off out of sight.
Starting out from Hayes Field, drivers and riders were welcomed by Claudia L. and crew, signed in, and given maps and directions. There were about 5 carriages and many riders. Horses seen included Arabian, Friesian, Morgan, Percheron, palomino, Quarter horses and ponies.
An Arabian named Eli waits for his person to bring his harness.
The main route was about 6 miles (shorter or longer as desired), riding out around 10 am. Although the presence of deer flies was noticeable, they were generally only around lower elevations such as wet areas, and dropped off in intensity when the road went up slight rises.
Entering the campground
Driving the boys through a fairly busy campground, past tents, campers and people.
For ourselves, our pair Gilford and Glendale did really great. We started out with sleigh bells on them, but even though we had taken off half the bells, they were still too loud for us and we took those off before we got back. When the horses returned however, were they surprised to find themselves driven out again for another short jaunt, giving a ride to Claudia L., her stepdaughter Eleni, and Eleni’s friend Francheska.
Heading out again with new passengers!
When folks returned around noonish, many sat down together to enjoy the lunches they had brought. Horses vegged out at their trailers and some were fed carrots by Eleni and Francheska.
The girls gave TLC to Gilford to thank him for their ride.
Lunching after the drive/ride.
Claudia and her friend Frank, being there in their RV camper, did a fine job of organizing and running this drive. Thank you to the drive volunteers– we hope they order up the same weather for us again next year!
Baby birds saved off horse trailer
Hubby had noticed the nest in May… maybe it had eggs in it then. By early June it had baby birds in it, and it was built on a support of the gooseneck part of our horse trailer.
The problem was, we were going to use the horse trailer on June 13 to take the boys to a carriage drive in Bear Brook State Park. Those baby birds, only partially feathered 3-4 days before the drive, would never survive the trip without being blown out of that nest.
That idea was unacceptable, so I researched online the possibility of moving a nest. This site was particularly helpful– Bird Rescue, Wildlife Care of Ventura.org Regarding relocating, usually done for a nest which has fallen our of a tree, I found information suggesting it might be done successfully.
These birds were flycatchers, I identified them as phoebes. Obviously they liked a platform nest on a solid base. The suggestion of using a milk jug seemed most reasonable to me, so I cut drainage holes in the bottom of a jug and a hole in the side just large enough to fit the phoebes’ nest through.
I placed thick stems of cut-up hay in the bottom so the nest wouldn’t become soggy if it rain blew in. Then I secured the jug, with its lid on it, firmly into a lilac bush which was very close to the horse trailer, only about 15 feet away from the original nest location.
The day before our drive was to take place, in the late afternoon after we had the trailer all packed, I put on latex gloves and carefully removed the nest from its perch and transferred it into the milk jug. I kept one hand covering the babies, who were frozen like statues, as they had been whenever I had gotten close to the nest before to look at them.
Baby phoebes in their nest right after its relocation into a milk jug. Five baby birds in a real body pile were as immobile as statues whenever they saw my face come near. Guess my head just didn’t look like mommy!
I observed for a while from a distance and saw the parent phoebes returning to the horse trailer, sometimes flying around into the edge of the lilac bushes– acting a bit disoriented to say the least. Then I left them alone; they had a good 5 hours before dark to hopefully figure out where their babies had gone.
The next day dawned bright and beautiful. I saw no sign of phoebe parents as we were loading the horses into the then-moved trailer and departing. I could tell the baby birds were still in their milk jug nest, but I did not get close.
Milk jug with relocated phoebe nest, tied securely into lilac bush.
That evening, after returning from our terrific drive, I was able to observe the new nest box from inside the barn for an extended time, and low and behold I spotted a parent phoebe land on the milk jug and deposit food. The phoebe parents had found their nest and accepted its new location!
I was so excited… I managed to have enough patience to get a little video from the other side of the horse trailer, which, because it was still attached to the truck, screened me from the parents’ view while they continued their feeding chores.
Mommy (or Daddy?) Phoebe feeds the babies the day after their nest was moved into a milk jug.
Five days later the phoebes fledged. There were five chicks when I moved the nest, and I assume all five of them fledged. The fledging day was bright and sunny too, so they had a great day to start learning to fly. Lucky for them, because every other day for about a month has been either drizzly, rainy or pouring!
The website Bird Rescue, Wildlife Care of Ventura.org was especially informative about rehabilitating wildlife; also linked here, by state, are names and email addresses or phone numbers of licensed wildlife rehabilitators– people who are qualified to give advice and/or take over the care of animals and birds who have been injured or orphaned.
Healthy Hooves in the Land Downunder
Cavallo reports on research being conducted to learn more about the effects of environment and activity level on feral horses’ hoof health. Learn more at The Australian Brumby Research Unit.
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The Cavallo-sponsored Brumby, Ridgy-Didge, has entered the next stage of research in the Australian Wild Horse Research’s Brumby-tracking project.
A quick recap of the project: Wild Horse Research staff are trekking out to the most remote areas of Australia to study herds of feral horses (Brumbies) in hopes of “improving the foot health of the domestic horse” through their research. Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc. is a proud sponsor of this important work which is studying the effect of the environment on hooves. For six months, the researchers are swapping six horses from soft sandy country with six who roam on hard rocky country.
Ridgy-Didge and her little mate Alice, two of the hard rock country mares, were recently examined at the University of Queensland Vet School, being prepped for their release into the soft life. They were in captivity for less than two weeks, but during that time their feet had already begun to change as a result of the low mileage and soft ground. It appeared that their hoof walls had a very fast growth rate but this will be confirmed when they are recaptured in July/August. Their hoof walls were branded in five locations to allow researchers to record growth and wear rates, and then Ridgy-Didge and Alice were released into soft sandy country in Central Queensland, 3,500 km from home.
This info thanks to Newsletter from Cavallo Hoof Boots
RELATED INFO:
THE AUSTRALIAN EQUINE BAREFOOT MOVEMENT (AEBM) INC. website
Historic climate vote
I just sent a message to my legislator about the U.S. House of Representatives passing a historic climate bill, and I’m encouraging them to strengthen the plan in conference. You should too. Check it out!
06.28.09
Lettuce from the garden, with worms
An article in the N.Y. Times with the above title caught our attention, because it resonates so strongly with us. My Hubby has always grown a garden, and in recent years he has tried gamely to minimize if not totally eliminate chemicals applied. This makes a good crop difficult to produce. It means that bugs, grubs etc. stunt or kill a lot of your plants.
Nevertheless, the effort is worthwhile and the food is very healthy for us. In the Times article (by Nicholas D. Kristof, June 21, 2009) the author is somewhat nostalgic remembering backyard-grown lettuce which had to be rinsed and carefully examined for possible unwanted dirt or critters. Hubby calls it “extra protein.”
A recent documentary film, “Food, Inc.”, declares that “the way we eat has changed more in the last 50 years than in the previous 10,000.” Hubby and I ourselves believe that to eat healthy, you should NOT eat anything your great grandmother would not have recognized. In other words, get away from PROCESSED food.
Described are chickens grown today to maximize their breast meat. They are genetically re-engineered to grow breasts so huge and to mature so quickly that the rest of their bodies can’t keep up, such that they cannot walk around normally and every few steps must plop down onto the ground. (I wonder if they actually have opportunity to walk around at all.)
The article asks “Do you know what’s in hamburger? Or cookie dough?” citing how E. coli makes its way into commercial food products. The film notes that if feedlot cattle, which are typically fed massive doses of antibiotics, are moved onto pasture for five days, 80% of E. coli bacteria disappear from their gut. The point made is that “one reason for [America's] health problems is our industrialized agriculture system, and that should be under scrutiny…” as well as our health care system.
Giant agribusiness is the norm today in this country, with lobbies almost as powerful as the oil or banking industry. Small local farms are bought out, driven out, or struggle to survive. “Unhealthy calories are cheaper than nutritious ones. We even inflict unhealthy food on children in the school lunch program, and one in three Americans born after 2000 is expected to develop diabetes.”
Something is terribly wrong with this picture.
We personally do what we can– we buy a side of grass-fed beef and also lamb for our freezer. Hubby grinds his own wheat berries and makes homemade whole wheat bread. We eat lots of fresh or frozen vegetables. Food, Inc. declares that we as consumers DO have power. We can “vote to change the system, three times a day.”
06.25.09
Penny 4– Orphaned filly update, fencing
(This is one of several ongoing questions and replies… (see other posts on Penny for more reports)
JUNE’S UPDATE (June 2):
Update on our little orphan filly who is almost 2 mo. old now. She is well and thriving. We finished the fencing, finally - and yes, it’s barbed wire, but, thankfully, we had someone who knows fencing really well who did a wonderful job, plus the posts are very close together (about four to five feet apart), and it’s strung with 5 strands), and we’ve tied bright plastic ties between every single post. She has not once tried to rush the fence, though when I take her her milk, she does come running and nickering.
She is large enough now, that I can’t hold the bowl/bucket, and just set it down on an upturned bucket, holding the edge just long enough that she doesn’t tip it over in her first sucking. She paws at the ground and tends to nudge the bucket agressively at first. She has socialized with the two calves just fine - though at first she was frightened of them. She loads and unloads fairly well from her trailer stall - but tonight, I placed her in a small pen inside the pasture instead of putting her in the trailer. The pen has more room, yet still confines her in a safer fencing area should she become frightened by anything in the dark.
She wasn’t happy about it, because it’s a new and different confinement, but we’re sure we’ll be ok. She had a bucket of her feed (a mixture of foal starter and creep feed), and a bucket of water. Just wanted to let you know, she’s doing great. She stands for a lead being snapped on her halter and leads fairly well, most of the time, and lets me touch her all over and lift her hooves, though only for a second or so and isn’t totally comfortable with that, yet.
CONNIE’S REPLY:
THanks June, I’m really glad to hear how well she is doing. I would say, continue the handling as much as possible. Perhaps begin using treats as a reward, or even try clicker training.
From my (admittedly limited) experience, it is much easier to train them the younger they are; as they get bigger and stronger, it becomes harder or at the least more intimidating to teach them things which they might resist or be leery of. At her age she should be totally accepting of haltering, being handled and having each foot picked up and held for longer and longer stretches of time. You can use a rope looped around her ankle to do that safely. [Reference: Earliest Riding Prep green horse training videos]
Her willing acceptance of restraint is extremely important, as is learning to move away from pressure. Moving off pressure makes her easier to handle on the ground, and it also helps her understand that a person is her dominant “herd leader” who will keep her safe from harm, and who she must trust and “obey” so to speak. Building her acceptance of restraint is how you teach her that. She should lead perfectly well all around; she needs to be exposed to many different and unusual things to get used to stuff and build her confidence. Once you get her a companion animal, you hopefully can lead them BOTH together out into the world to experience new things in a non-threatening manner.
There is so much to teach a foal, and so little time– all the things you want her to know as a grown horse. You have made a terrific start. I hope you will continue to read on my blog and to research & learn all you can about working with foals, and do as much as you possibly can. IMO, it has made all the difference in the world in our 2 boys being so tractable and easy to manage as full-grown horses.
Best of luck, and I appreciate all updates!!
(Here are a few links to more info…)
video of foal being trained
my blogs about handling, ponying etc.
desensitizing
