Winter's here!

That's not news to most people but, one week ago, we had temperatures in the mid 70's! (Normal for this area in early January in mid 40's.) This morning, however, we awoke to a temperature of 20 degrees. Not necessarily frigid, but a sudden, big change for us.

Its puzzling that so many in the region have been complaining about the mild winter. We are feeling quite thankful. Not surprisingly, many of our residents have arthritis which is often aggravated by cold, wet weather. In addition, walking on frozen ground for days on end seems to add to soreness, both in joints and muscles. This winter, so far, has been a blessing. Our elders won't complain if it stays warm right through 'till April.

But, since we won't be able to post any pictures of a beautiful snow covered farm this year, we offer this photo from December 2005. Enjoy!

More on Manure

In answer to Rion's question of Jan 5, we offer several reasons for daily pick-up in paddocks and fields.
An average 1000-pound horse (Jubal, here, is 1100) produces approximately 50 pounds of manure a day. (That's over nine tons in one year!) Multiply that by the number of horses in a particular enclosure and the numbers can be staggering. Now add the fact that many horses are kept at stocking rates higher than one on every two acres (recommended by the Virginia Cooperative Extension,) especially in urban and suburban areas, or on farms such as boarding facilities, and it becomes more obvious why dragging or harrowing manure in the field may not be enough.

Parasite control is the most often cited reason for keeping fields clean. Horses grazing in areas where manure has been allowed to lay are likely to ingest parasites such as stongyles or bots. External parasites find manure a very attractive breeding ground as well. One female stable fly can lay 20 batches of eggs in one month (that was just one fly, remember.)

Loafing areas, in the shade in the summer or sheltered from wind in the winter, often have more manure present than other parts of paddocks or fields. In warm weather, this attracts more flies to the places in which the horses are trying to find shelter from uncomfortable conditions. In any weather, standing in manure for days at a time encourages foot infections.

Grazing itself is affected by manure left in the field. Horses, unlike most other types of livestock, often choose specific areas of the field as manure "repositories." Usually, soiled areas are then rejected as grazing sites. The grass around the manure then grows to a stage most horses consider unpalatable, while cleaner sections of the field become overgrazed. Meanwhile, the overgrazed portions become home to more and more weeds, making them less desirable for grazing too. In addition, in the heat of summer a hefty "dropping" can turn the grass under it brown in 24-48 hours, reducing grazing even further. Depending on stocking rates, these pastures can have as much as half of the area standing unused due to manure build-up.

So, while some folks in the neighborhood smile to themselves when they see us obsessively shoveling manure every day, we smile too, knowing our residents are the better for it.

More information on manure management:

Manure Management by Cherry Hill

Small Farm: Grazing Management for Horses
Angela Avery

Manure Management

" I dunno..............

Why do you think people collect it?"

"Goodby to a Friend"

Our condolences to Blue Horse Mukwa Equine Retirement and Rescue Center following the recent loss of their 35 year old palomino mare. "Goodby to a Friend"

Blue Seal Carb-Guard

Blue Seal recently introduced a new formula designed as a "low starch and sugar diet to minimize the risk of starch overload..................may be recommended for hyperactive horses and horses with certain health conditions such as Tying-Up, EPSM, Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushings, Chronic Laminitis and Obesity"

Since we house several residents with Cushings and Metabolic Syndrome, we went in search of some Carb-Guard. Our local feed dealer was not yet carrying this new feed, but immediately ordered some for us. We picked it up yesterday and will now begin gradually changing a few diets to see if the symptoms of Cushings and Insulin Resistance become easier to manage.

Carb-Guard is 12% protein, 8% fat, 25% fiber. First several ingredients are: soybean hulls, corn germ, dehydrated alfalfa meal, corn distillers dried grains, corn bran. More in Blue Seal's info sheet on Carb-Guard.

Presenting.......In Person.........

That 15 hand bundle of dynamite.............

Country Sunshine!

Sonny is one of the sanctuary's older residents, turning 36 this spring. Don't let this sedate picture fool you, though. This horse is king of all he surveys. When Sonny arrived, we took some time deciding which group of horses would be best suited to his temperament. He seemed a little timid, so we wanted to be certain he would not be intimidated by more dominant horses.

Apparently we were worried about nothing. The moment Sonny was introduced to his current small herd, he took charge. Now, before you think "Well, yeah, he took charge of a group of feeble old horses," you should know that the previous herd leader is a 17 year old Thoroughbred gelding. The coup was peaceful, but unquestionable.

Sonny is in good health, but does have one unique feature. He has, literally, no molars in his upper jaw. The bottom teeth are all there, but not one molar on top. This, of course, means the bottom molars have nothing to grind against so are basically useless. Sonny eats a diet of softened feed and soaked alfalfa cubes.

Sonny will soon face the challenge of "taming" our newest arrival, a 32 year old Arab mare named Belle. They are like peas in a pod except for their color, so it remains to be seen whether or not one field is big enough for the both of them.

Nap Time

We didn't have a white christmas, but there are some advantages to a warmer than usual winter. Many of our residents' regular routines include naps in the morning sun following chilly nights.