I've always been really confused about worming schedules. They are complicated and I've seen and I've heard varying theories. The photos of intestinal worms of various species are so disgusting, it's hard to make a rational decision. Today we took the horses to the vet for their immunizations. As I suspected they each need to lose about 50 lbs, but otherwise they are in great shape.
This year I happened to bring along manure specimens because I really feel uncomfortable about the chemical worming of horses, and the sometimes regular and rigorous schedules that are suggested. The vet was glad that I brought the samples saying that there have been some recent concerns that organisms will build resistance to these chemicals. It happens with bacteria and antibiotics. It even happens in the plant world. Believe it or not many farmers can no longer use Round Up because weeds have mutated to resist it.
So I'm keeping it simple and will use manure samples as my guide. Goodbye worming charts and and all the hype.
Happy and Healthy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Trust Me
Our Haflinger Club was sponsoring a trail ride at Salt Fork State Park here in Ohio. Other breeds were allowed for members to bring, so our Haflinger and our Fox Trotter both got to go. This State park is vast, at its center a large horseshoe shaped lake. We met the group at their campsite and were told that just before we arrived there had been a major downpour.
I was excited to try these trails because I'd heard so much about them and because this park was first last year for the most miles logged by riders. After some initial photo ops, we headed out on trail. The trails are single file only and what I would consider to be primitive. There were many obstacles from trees that had fallen across trail which made our horses have to pay close attention.
The most challenging part was from the condition of the trails after the downpour. There was significant mud making hills a special challenge. My primary goal always is to keep my horse and myself safe on trail. Luckly we had a skilled and thoughtful guide who kept the pace appropriate for the conditions.
As we rode, and as my Fox Trotter negotiated some very slick conditions and some very challenging obstacles, I reminded myself that horses have spent millions of years refining their survival skills, and as she chose where to step with very little guidance from me, I was grateful for that fact.
May Trail Angels be with you, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
I was excited to try these trails because I'd heard so much about them and because this park was first last year for the most miles logged by riders. After some initial photo ops, we headed out on trail. The trails are single file only and what I would consider to be primitive. There were many obstacles from trees that had fallen across trail which made our horses have to pay close attention.
The most challenging part was from the condition of the trails after the downpour. There was significant mud making hills a special challenge. My primary goal always is to keep my horse and myself safe on trail. Luckly we had a skilled and thoughtful guide who kept the pace appropriate for the conditions.
As we rode, and as my Fox Trotter negotiated some very slick conditions and some very challenging obstacles, I reminded myself that horses have spent millions of years refining their survival skills, and as she chose where to step with very little guidance from me, I was grateful for that fact.
May Trail Angels be with you, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Bag It
It could be my imagination which is surely possible, but I think that the water bag trick is working. Maybe it's too early in the fly season to know for sure. Certainly my fly predators have been busy doing their jobs, eating larvae off manure, but the Ziploc bags with water and shiny pennies in them may also be repelling flies.
The whole idea sounded a little crazy when I first read about it. The theory is that flies avoid the reflections created by the water and by the pennies. I have two bags placed atop poles near my barn and pasture. I warned my neighbor about the experiment so he wouldn't think I'd totally flipped.
Surrounded by cattle, we can grow a pretty healthy fly population in our area. I'll keep you posted on our progress. I have lots more poles and Ziplocs to add to the battle.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
The whole idea sounded a little crazy when I first read about it. The theory is that flies avoid the reflections created by the water and by the pennies. I have two bags placed atop poles near my barn and pasture. I warned my neighbor about the experiment so he wouldn't think I'd totally flipped.
Surrounded by cattle, we can grow a pretty healthy fly population in our area. I'll keep you posted on our progress. I have lots more poles and Ziplocs to add to the battle.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Best of America
Were you there? I was looking for you at the South Chagrin Reservation where The cable channel RFD was filming as part of their series on urban trail riding in Northeast, Ohio.
I had not ridden these trails for at least a year, and I had forgotten how beautiful they are as they frequently follow the meanderings of the Cuyahoga River, and wander through bird sanctuaries and around peaceful waterfalls. There is very little awareness that outside of this bliss is a vibrant suburban community close to a large city.
Back in the days when Standard Oil was owned by the Rockefeller family in Cleveland, this family had the foresight to buy up and put aside thousands of acres of land now known as the Emerald Necklace. I am so grateful for their genius.
As my friend said yesterday, "it's so relaxing to spend a day with horses" and I couldn't agree more.
May the Trail Angels be with you, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
I had not ridden these trails for at least a year, and I had forgotten how beautiful they are as they frequently follow the meanderings of the Cuyahoga River, and wander through bird sanctuaries and around peaceful waterfalls. There is very little awareness that outside of this bliss is a vibrant suburban community close to a large city.
Back in the days when Standard Oil was owned by the Rockefeller family in Cleveland, this family had the foresight to buy up and put aside thousands of acres of land now known as the Emerald Necklace. I am so grateful for their genius.
As my friend said yesterday, "it's so relaxing to spend a day with horses" and I couldn't agree more.
May the Trail Angels be with you, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Yoga High
Keep in mind that I'm no expert on Yoga. I began my intermittent relationship with practicing Yoga several years ago during my stress packed college years. Back then it enabled me to work and to attend school in a more relaxed way. Yoga does that for you.
In more recent times, after two rounds of physical therapy for back issues, I came to realize that many of the exercises I was given for my back were derived from Yoga and so now each morning I take 10 minutes to practice a variety of poses that help to get me going for the day.
Guys don't seem to be that keen on the whole Yoga idea; it's not as dramatic or sexy as lifting weights, or sweating on the treadmill. That being said, my husband has become a convert. To my surprise a friend of his got him interested in attending a Yoga class and the changes have been noticeable. The most apparent change for him has been his balance in the saddle. New to riding a few years ago, I think that he has struggled to find his "seat". Too many years at a desk and at a computer can really throw off our postures.
Whatever bad habits he had developed while sitting are being corrected with Yoga. It's so dramatic I think that he's now a permanent convert.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
In more recent times, after two rounds of physical therapy for back issues, I came to realize that many of the exercises I was given for my back were derived from Yoga and so now each morning I take 10 minutes to practice a variety of poses that help to get me going for the day.
Guys don't seem to be that keen on the whole Yoga idea; it's not as dramatic or sexy as lifting weights, or sweating on the treadmill. That being said, my husband has become a convert. To my surprise a friend of his got him interested in attending a Yoga class and the changes have been noticeable. The most apparent change for him has been his balance in the saddle. New to riding a few years ago, I think that he has struggled to find his "seat". Too many years at a desk and at a computer can really throw off our postures.
Whatever bad habits he had developed while sitting are being corrected with Yoga. It's so dramatic I think that he's now a permanent convert.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Doggone It
Let me say right off the bat that I am an avid dog lover. Anyone who visits our home is greeted by our very enthusiastic and friendly Springer Spaniel. I love all types of dogs and I have great respect for their intelligence and for their instincts. That being said, I am often puzzled by the decisions that some dog owners make.
It's not unusual to be trail riding on shared trails to come upon people walking their dogs unleashed. Not all dogs are used to being around horses and dogs faced with a new situation may exhibit unpredictable behavior. Also horses feeling threatened have the potential to gravely harm the dog. As I said to one dog owner as I pointed to his dog and then to my horse, "wolf relative, meat". He wasn't amused.
The point is that we cannot deny natural instincts and we all need to take precautions.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
It's not unusual to be trail riding on shared trails to come upon people walking their dogs unleashed. Not all dogs are used to being around horses and dogs faced with a new situation may exhibit unpredictable behavior. Also horses feeling threatened have the potential to gravely harm the dog. As I said to one dog owner as I pointed to his dog and then to my horse, "wolf relative, meat". He wasn't amused.
The point is that we cannot deny natural instincts and we all need to take precautions.
Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net
Monday, May 31, 2010
Parade Around
It was Memorial Day and our little town circle was the site of its annual parade. Once part of the Western Reserve of Connecticut, this part of Ohio resembles many places in New England. Our little town center is ringed by white buildings with a gazebo at the center. American flags wave from every pole this time of year, and the graves in the town cemetery are dressed in red, white and blue.
We dressed the way a couple would have dressed (at the turn of the century) driving to attend a special event, to visit a friend, or to attend Church. Our Haflinger's blond mane caught the sunlight and children of all ages were delighted see riders and carriages and horses of all shapes and sizes walk down main street. People waving and smiling and greeting us was like a breath of fresh air considering our country's current struggles.
You see horses bring out the kid in all of us. Horses remind us of the Creator that we all share, and of the strength that we share as well.
Happy Trails, Kathy, horsedrivensite.net
We dressed the way a couple would have dressed (at the turn of the century) driving to attend a special event, to visit a friend, or to attend Church. Our Haflinger's blond mane caught the sunlight and children of all ages were delighted see riders and carriages and horses of all shapes and sizes walk down main street. People waving and smiling and greeting us was like a breath of fresh air considering our country's current struggles.
You see horses bring out the kid in all of us. Horses remind us of the Creator that we all share, and of the strength that we share as well.
Happy Trails, Kathy, horsedrivensite.net
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