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
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!
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
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
Free horse and mini looking for new home
Sadly, these 2 horses need a new owner– they will be free to a good home.
Prince is a gray gelding, quarter horse type around age 12. He has been used trail riding and is good both on neighborhood streets and off road, alone or with other horses. His cute little companion is a pinto mini mare named Blue, and they are such good friends they even share their hay. Blue has blue eyes! She will ride with or be ponied beside Prince.
Email Connie and I will put you in touch with the owner for more information. Horses are in Gilford, NH. and must be given up due to changes in the family’s situation.
06.21.09
Swimming with Diego, bridleless
A VERY special bond between these two… by Canterk2008 on youTube.
Rolex KY 3-day event 2009
Aptly described as an international horse “triathlon”, the Rolex is a CCI**** (4 star=highest international level) event. An event consists of dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping. This is the cross-country phase held April 24, 2009 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Video by buzzterbrown on youTube.
More about the horse sport of eventing at these sites:
useventing.com
rk3de.org
06.15.09
Big Stinky fly traps at work, plus Fly Parasites
Less than two weeks before this picture was taken I started my fly traps near the horse barn (see previous entry Big Stinky fly trap extraordinaire).
Here’s what they look like now; what you see in this gallon jar are dead flies, with a few live ones buzzing around above. Initially baited with a chunk of raw meat, the flies themselves are now the bait. The other 2 gallon jars are almost this full. Some good old duct tape holds my lid’s fins secure in place, because I have had these traps for years.
Big Stinkys are not for the squeamish; their odor is powerful and they are powerfully effective. They work best on hot sunny days, because that’s when the flies are out. I use 3 gallon jars and 2 quart jar traps; I will dispose of probably 3-4 gallons of flies by the time of first frost. (Dispose of by burying in the woods.)
Maintenance is needed to keep the gross mess moist by adding some diluted attractant as needed, typically every 2-4 days in a hot spell. AND, a one-time addition of borax soap powder will kill maggots which start to hatch in the early stage. (You can see some maggots in the photo above.) If one trap is more effective than others, you can transfer some of its sludge into the other traps and then they will work better. I also check occasionally to keep the lid openings cleared of spider webs, which would keep the flies from getting into the jar.
This year I am also using “Fly Parasites” biological fly control as my second means of fly killers. These are gnat-sized insect critters, described as “wasps” but they do not sting, they only eat fly pupae. These parasites are shipped to me on a monthly schedule and sprinkled around manure areas, where they hatch out and seek out larva to eat. They are placed in different areas each month in order to establish a population base. Our neighboring horse person is also using them and has used them in the past; she thinks they seem to make a difference. I liked the idea because you can place them around pasture areas where manure accumulates, which broadens your area of control.
Distributors of Fly Parasites/Fly Predators:
Arbico Fly Parasites
Spalding Fly Predators
