March 21, 1997
Finally Spring
Winter seemed so long but after today I have some hope. As I was walking around my yard, silently chastising myself for not raking all the leaves last fall, I noticed something ... something GREEN! I knelt down for a closer look and noticed not only daffodils, but herbs and other perennial flowers trying enjoy some of the sunshine that we've all been teased with recently. I was excited. Winter is so difficult for me to deal with. I never get to ride as much as I'd like and although I've never minded taking care of my horses, the chores really seem like chores in the winter. With spring having just sprung, it doesn't take too much to get me dreaming about horse shows, long lazy trail rides and sitting out on the lawn trying to read while my mare tries to sneak off and eat from the middle of the flower beds. I'm also thinking about my yearly rituals ... vaccinations, haircuts, spring cleaning in the barn, fence fixing and everything else that goes with being the proud owner of a non-stop compost producer.
The first thing to roll up on my schedule is vaccinations. I usually give all my horses a combo vaccine that protects them from eastern, western and Venezuelan encephalomyelitis; EHV-1 & EHV-4 rhinopneumonitis (the cause of respiratory diseases); A1 and A2 influenza; and tetanus. For the past few years I also included vaccination for Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) and this year I plan to add Rabies. For the horses I show or that travel, I'll redo the Flu shots midseason and possibly (probably) the Potomac. Although this may seem a bit excessive, I've rarely had sick horses and my vet tells me it's because I'm faithful to this routine.
When it comes to deworming, I do it religiously every 2 months year round. I usually rotate between an Ivermectin based product and a pyrantel pamoate product. This rotation prevents parasites from developing resistance to deworming agents. This program has worked well for me and it's sort of like giving heartworm medicine to your dog all year round - you can feel relatively secure in thinking that your animal is worm free. For those of you who haven't stuck to this kind of schedule, having a fecal exam done if a wise move. Just because your horse doesn't "look wormy" doesn't mean that he isn't.
Another spring ritual is calling my equine dentist. (I try to call him in the fall also.) I'd always had my vet perform this service for me until I became aware of the fact that there were actually for real equine dentists out there! Not to discredit my veterinarian in any way, shape or form, I'm much more impressed by the job done by a specialist in this field and I've have the good fortune to meet someone who not only does a great job but also tries to makes this treatment as stress free as possible for my horses. I'd never thought this was necessary on a regular basis. In fact, I'd felt it wasn't necessary at all unless my horses were dropping grain when they ate. What a big surprise I received when I rode my horse after our first appointment. My horse was not only much quieter in the bridle but was surprisingly light in my hands and I was able to get her on the bit much easier. That sold me!
Next on my list is haircuts. Since my horses live outdoors -- or at least spend a good share of their time outdoors -- by the middle of winter they're hardly recognizable because of the amount of fuzz they've grown. Usually by mid-March they're shedding and unless I get out the clippers and give them a touch up, it's just downright embarrassing to have the neighbors see them with hunks of hair falling off. (Kind of looks like they've got mange or something!!!) This grooming session also gives me a chance to examine everyone thoroughly making sure that I've haven't missed any injuries or anything else that might be hiding under all that hair. I don't give a total body clip or anything remotely close. I merely clip off anything that's shaggy and unsightly, touch up their bridle path and clip fetlock hair and whiskers. Although some owners take off the long hairs near their horses' eyes -- I don't. I shorten them up somewhat but for the most part leave them there to do their part as feelers.
After all this, my horses look fairly respectable and the barn looks pretty bad. I try to keep my stalls cleaned on a regular basis but during the winter other thing suffer. I've never been disciplined about picking up twine, sweeping, raking, doing cobwebs or other housekeeping chores when it's cold out, so by springtime (and I hate to admit this in public) I've usually got quite a job ahead of me. I try to pick a reasonably warm and sunny day and just have at it. I also check all my fences for loose nails, posts, questionable boards or wire and make sure that I still have fence up in the "back forty" since no one's been out there all winter. The water tank and feed tubs finally get a GOOD scrubbing and if the ground is firm enough, I try to talk my husband into spreading the manure pile on our fields before he plants.
As I look around, I'm starting to feel pretty darn proud of myself that I'm so efficient and that I've gotten all this stuff done in a timely manner. Should I feel guilty about being too tired to clean my house? Don't think so. Now that warm weather is finally here, once I'm rested up, I'll be riding!
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Free Rein
Internet publishing and consulting for the horse industry. The most comprehensive "horsey" site on the Internet.
United States Dressage Federation
USDF was established for the purpose of promoting and encouraging a high standard of accomplishment in dressage throughout the United States, primarily through educational programs
Classic Saddlery, Ltd.
One of the Midwest's finest English Tack & Apparel shops catering to dressge and hunter/jumper enthusiasts. Free "Test Rides" available on some saddles.
Shine-A-Bit Farm
Founded by Chuck Grant, the Father of American Dressage. Extensive info and resources for the Dressage and Haute E'cole enthusiast.
Equine Bits
An Australian's personal home page with LOTS of links.
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Horses
