|
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Worming Horses 101
Why do I start thinking about wormers in the spring?
Maybe it’s because I’m thinking about all the bugs we’ll soon be seeing around the farm. Bugs, larvae, parasites, and all that jazz.
It’s not because I don’t worm in the fall and winter. I worm every three months or so.
Just recently, I received an email about a strange reaction with ivermectin (the most common wormer on the market). The horse was lethargic and his stride shortened. Apparently, there are rare neurological reactions like the one reported to me. Thanks to Frannie Burridge at Piper Ridge Farm for mentioning it.
I talked with Dr. Rachel Flaherty at Maine Equine Associates.
She said wormers are usually given without problems. Occasionally, horses can have a mild bout of colic or generally not feel well.
Ivermectin sometimes causes horses to be unusually itchy, perhaps caused by skin parasites it can target. Those parasites die and horses get itchy.
Anthelcide (oxibendazole) and Quest (moxidectin) have been more associated with side effects, perhaps because they are used less regularly, Flaherty said.
And you'd want to be careful worming a horse whose health is already compromised by other issues - like being really skinny or under a lot of stress.
Other issues cropping up with wormers:
- Always using the same wormer. Parasites will develop a resistance or immunity to that wormer. Other parasites not targeted by that wormer, will continue to flourish.
- Messing up the dosage. And I mean literally “messing up.” Don’t give wormer when your horse has just eaten. He will ball up the paste with the hay or grass and spit it out. Give it when he’s empty-mouthed. If the horse doesn’t get the whole dose, then those targeted parasites will develop a resistance to that wormer.
For best results, talk with your vet. He or she may ask to take a fecal sample or have other suggestions.
|
Monday, March 29, 2010
Honey reaches milestone
 Many have read of Honey, a Maine horse saved from certain death before Good Samaritans rescued her. (click here for article)
Last week, Honey celebrated her first year of her new life, nine months spent at Thanksgiving Farm in Durham, where she's been living the Life of Riley.
Owner Barbara Stanley likes to think she's turned 1. One year ago, she was dying, but she started living again thanks to her rescuers.
Congratulations, Honey. And many happy returns!
Writes Barbara:
"For the first three months, she was nurtured by Floyd Annis and many
supporting friends. Last June, she joined us at her forever home. We call the day she was rescued, the first day of
her new life and have decided to make March 25 her birthdate.
We are
hoping to have many more celebrations in honor of this great mare, who
has stolen our hearts."
|
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bullying across the species
 People, dogs, cats, horses.
It doesn’t matter.
I saw the other day how some guy launched his willing girlfriend in his homemade trebuchet. Small wonder that she got hurt.
I exclaimed to my friend (a guy), “What kind of idiot would launch his girlfriend into the air?”
“What kind of idiot girlfriend would agree to it?” was his reply.
Indeed.
I watched this morning as my eight-pound cat reigned supreme over the water bowl. He wasn't the least bit thirsty. He just felt like flexing his bully muscle.
Ruby, my 60-pound black lab, waited tentatively until the cat got tired of it and sauntered off to laze in the sun.
Alas. I was rooting for Ruby to just give the cat a good cuff with her paw. But that'll never happen!
I got a call from my friend, Rick. He’s been caring for Trixie, the little Shetland. Trixie was at the bottom of the totem pole at my farm. Now, reports Rick, she’s pushing around her 1,200-pound pasture mate, Cupcake. Aptly named, apparently!
“I sure wish Cupcake would grow a pair,” said Rick. “Why is Trixie doing it?”
My answer to him applies to most bullies, tormentors, and intimidators.
Because they can. They tried it once. They got no resistance. They did it again...
|
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Envelope of Evidence
I was one of several individuals sending statements and photos to District Attorney Evert Fowle recently.
I hope it helps.
I’m holding my breath.
Ok, I’m not holding my breath. Because like many of you, I have seen so much to make me think the system is broken.
Still, I’m hoping Fowle and his assistants will pool the evidence and charge Alexis and Brett Ingraham with animal cruelty. SOON!
In the meanwhile, Fair Play Farm continues to operate. Yup. Buying and selling horses while “under investigation.”
It continues to boggle the mind.
They say the wheels of justice turn slowly.
Yes, we know. Especially when it involves horse welfare in Maine. Indeed, many think the wheels are rusted to a stop.
Speaking of the wheels of justice, stay tuned on March 25th. That’s when Donald Genthner, of the Waldoboro horse tragedy, heads to court in Wiscasset.
Let’s hope the prosecutors have all their ducks aligned. For the horses’ sake.
|
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Business as Usual??
According to posts on several Internet sites, Alexis Ingraham of Fair Play Farm in Clinton, Maine, continues to sell horses. This, even with what we're told is an active investigation by the state Animal Welfare program.
We found several horses for sale on Horseville.com and NewHorse.com
Click on the above links to check them out.
Insert headshaking and grimacing here.
|
Sen. Collins Chimes In
I wrote to Senator Susan Collins about the situation in Clinton. She wrote back:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concern about the welfare of animals located at the Fair Play Farm & Stables in Clinton.
My staff has contacted Maine Department of Agriculture Commissioner Seth Bradstreet, III regarding the issue. Please be assured that as soon as I receive a response, I will forward it to you.
You may be interested to know that I am an original cosponsor of the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, S.727. Like you, I am deeply concerned about the treatment of these beautiful animals and believe that they deserve humane treatment at all stages in their lives.
Well, at least she wrote back. I have yet to hear from Pingree, Snowe, Baldacci, and others.
In fact, the only ones I've heard from are Collins and Maine Senator Stan Gerzofsky.
|
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Stewing over horse neglect stew
The wheels of justice turn slowly...
It appears the District Attorney's office is starting to take notice of the mess at Foul Play Farm in Clinton.
I can only hope that simultaneously, they're taking note of the derisory investigation by Animal Welfare, too.
I mean, if Animal Welfare were truly invested and truly capable, there wouldn't be any need for the DA to appeal directly to the public for help, right?
We are willing to give the lawyers time to work on this specific case. We wish them luck and will help whenever possible.
But good will has exhausted itself when it comes to Animal Welfare.
When the time's right, there will be a call for Big Change.
Effective people rise to the occasion in times of crisis. We've seen the exact opposite at Animal Welfare. Crisis came. Animal Welfare scurried for cover. The Ingrahams need to be held accountable for their actions. Norma Worley and Dr. Christine Fraser need to be held accountable for their inactions.
Regardless of the outcome at Foul Play, that AWP tactic won't change unless the horse community rallies together and pushes for change.
Patience for now.
Action soon.
|
Friday, March 05, 2010
Carrots for a toothless pony?
In a quirky swap benefiting all parties, my Shetland pony, Trixie, moved to a friend's farm this week.
And Pep, the troublesome pony at that farm, came to my place.
Trixie seems to be settling in well. She has a lovely companion, a big draft mix fittingly named Cupcake.
 Trixie is now being cared for by my friend, Rick. Rick is new to horsemanship. But this week I learned once again, how creative he can be in delivering tender care to his charges.
During the first few days, he was concerned that Trixie was anxious and wasn't eating all her grain. (She needs to eat her grain because she has next to no teeth and quids most of her hay.)
He wanted to give her a treat and make her feel better. So he ground carrots and fed them to her by hand.
In all my years, it never dawned on me to do something so special, yet so simple for her! Ok, I gave her warm mashes. But grated carrots -- how yummy! Trixie thought they were marvelous, too.
|
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Animal un-Welfare
We continue to hear nothing from the folks at Animal Welfare. My prediction was that Director Norma Worley and Commissioner Seth Bradstreet would stick their heads in the sand and hope we'd all just go away.
Indeed, that seems to be their strategy.
The horses at Foul Play Farm are fewer and fatter. They got rid of the neglected and abused ones. Good job on the "investigation," y'all!
I sent pleas to Stan, Sue, Chellie, John, and Olympia (Gerzofsky, Collins, Pingree, Baldacci, and Snowe) and have heard back from only Gerzofsky. Auto-replies don't count.
Gerzofsky expressed his concern and told me he would be in touch with the Department of Agriculture. Stay tuned...
I have made several calls to District Attorney Evert Fowle.
I'm not wringing my hands anymore, I'm grinding my teeth.
In other words, the emotional element of this crisis may have passed. But the problem still festers.
I think I can speak for a lot of Maine horse folks when saying I'm not settling or walking away. I'm just reloading.
|
|