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Monday, January 26, 2009
Another reason for loving horses
These past few months, I have been working with a caretaker. His boss brought two horses home and it is my job to bring the caretaker up to speed on horsemanship. No small task as he didn't know horses at all 'til now.
But Bill is a quick study and an animal lover, so it has been a real enjoyable task for both of us.
Each week, we talk about a whole range of horse topics and I gotta say, when he says, 'jeez, you sure know a lot about horses,' I just laugh. I know some. But there is always so much more to learn, I reply.
Each time I learn something, I realize how much more there is to learn. And each time a horse is doing something "bad" I think, 'ok, I must not be asking him right.'
Fun, challenging, and humbling -- we fill our hours with stuff like that.
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Saturday, January 24, 2009
Half the Hay by Groundhog Day
That's the Informal Hay Calculator I recently acquired.
I picked up another 50 bales from a farm in Wiscasset and as I was bemoaning winter and hay purchases, the farmer shared his Farmers' Almanac-type rule of thumb:
You should be half done with your winter hay stock by February 2. So I figured with my purchase from him (100 bales), I should just about make it until spring and my fields are open and the girls are ready for the slow and steady hay to grass transition.
Since I posted this calculator, I received a lovely email from Nancy who writes: "The proverb is 'Half your wood and half your hay you should still have
on Candlemas Day.'
Candlemas Day is Feb 2 (Groundhog Day also of
course) and is 1/2 way between the official beginning of winter and the
official beginning of spring.
Nancy learned this from her father-in-law some 40 years ago. Thanks, Nancy!
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thoughts on Inauguration Day
Barack Obama's message consistently has been one of inclusion. Despite all the differences of all us Americans - some stark and some subtle differences, we are still all Americans. We can get through this time together, he says. And we will.
It makes me think of the Maine horse community. At the Northeast Horsemen's Conference and over the course of the last few months, I have met with many horse folks to discuss the current state of our community.
Winter makes for hard times anyway. But this year, we are seeing the Perfect Storm of cold, dark, snowy days and dire economic times. These conditions ramp up the suffering for many out there in our state's horse community. These conditions bring those just getting by closer and closer to the edge of good horse care. I know I'm not the only one cutting back on shavings and making calls for affordable hay (if there is such a thing!)
Communities come together during a hurricane, right?
Now is a great time to work together and help one another. Western, English, Show, Trail, Racing horses, the list goes on. And who cares? They all poop, don't they?
It is not a time for dissension and division. Sure, there are a gazillion ways to approach horse care and horsemanship. I don't feed like you feed. I don't train like you train. Hey, we even muck stalls differently!
Ok, so let's agree to disagree. Let's do what's best for the horses, especially those in dire straits.
And if you know of horses in distress, don't just close the curtain. Take action however you can and you'll sleep better (and hopefully, so will the horses!)
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Oh goodie! Warm Water --
When my "frost-free" outside faucet froze up last week, I started toting the water from the kitchen sink. I brought warm water almost accidentally. And when I brought it into the paddock to pour it into the big heated bucket, I was greeted by the two older girls, Trixie and Phoenix.
Maybe they thought I had mash. But, jeepers, they just loved that warm water! Ever since, I have turned it into a daily ritual.
Hey girls, come and get your water!
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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Phoenix defined -- after all these years
This week, I received an out-of-the-blue email from a woman named Cheryl. She tracked me down from Massachusetts and through the equine grapevine. Turns out she owned my elderly paint, Phoenix, some 20 years ago!
She had to surrender Phoenix to an adoption agency as she went through a tough divorce many years ago.
She was offered money from a horse trader and others but by surrendering her to this agency, she was able to ensure that Phoenix would have a good home and that she could keep in touch with the new owners.
Phoenix did well in her new home and much later, came to me when that farm when through some downsizing.
Cheryl writes:
“The hardest day of my life was having to give Phoenix up for adoption. I can't tell you how much it meant to see her on your website. I hope we can come visit her sometime when the weather warms up. It would really mean the world to me.”
We have emailed back and forth several times and more than once I’ve had to reach for the box of tissues. Horses hold onto our heart strings long after they’re gone, don’t they?
As I suspected, Phoenix has been through a lot but has had a mostly healthy and happy 30 years. Now I even know her age for sure!
Check out the Your Horse page – there you will find photos of Phoenix, young and old.
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