Farm cares for old, infirm horses

The Fredericksburg (VA) Free Lance-Star was kind enough to do a story highlighting TREES' small effort to make a difference.

Visit http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/062007/06262007/293401 to read the article, published June 26, 2007.

We'd like to thank reporter Elizabeth Krietsch and photographer Noah Rabinowitz for putting the piece together. Both seemed very interested in learning more about elder equine. (Extra brownie points to Noah for getting up early enough to be here during breakfast chores!)

Horse flies and weight loss

Most people associate senior horses' weight loss with the winter months. Many elders, however, have problems maintaining healthy weight during the summer. It was Sonny, our 36 year old Palomino gelding, who finally pointed us toward a solution.

After applying yet another "guaranteed" fly repellent to Sonny's legs last summer, we watched in amazement as flies resumed their attack before the spray was thoroughly dry. Sonny stomped and paced and rubbed his muzzle on his legs. This old man was working off precious calories before our eyes.

For reasons we do not yet understand, flies seem to be attracted to the lower legs of "frail" horses more than they are attracted to other parts of the body or to more robust animals. One possible reason is that many of these horses are dentally challenged and eat "mush" which they then wipe on their legs while trying to shoo flies on their own. No amount of wiping, washing, currying or brushing seems to remove the microscopic morsels that brings flies running.

Fly sprays are often ineffective and ointments like Swat work only sporadically, but...........

.......fly boots work wonders! The first time we asked Sonny to wear boots, he stood quietly as we adjusted the velcro straps. As soon as the stall door opened, though, he launched into the air and bucked his way into the sunshine and down the length of the field (MYTH: Old horses are "bombproof". REALITY: They are not any more bombproof than horses in other age ranges.) By the end of the day he realized how much more comfortable he was and now stands at his gate after breakfast waiting for his "booties" before returning to the field. Maintaining his weight is no longer a problem.

Many of TREES' residents wear fly boots now. (Boots are removed at night.) Even horses who did not appear to be overly stressed by flies seem more content and require less feed to maintain a healthy weight. Yes, getting everybody "dressed" in the morning takes a few extra minutes, but the results are worth every second.

Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

Signs of Possible Dental Trouble

(Please remember that many times there will be no obvious signs of dental disease until problems are severe.)

*dropping more food than previously.
*eating more slowly than before.
*the appearance of "quids" (wads of grass or hay that the horse tries to chew, then spits out.)
*head shaking
*holding the head to one side while chewing
*whole grains in the manure
*bad odor in the mouth and nose
*swelling on the face or along jaw
*bleeding gums
*tossing the head while being ridden
*uncharacteristically fighting the bit
*weight loss or poor condition

If you notice any of these signs of developing problems, contact your veterinarian or equine dentist as soon as possible. As with human teeth, preventing the progression of trouble is much easier than correcting problems at a later time!

Left: Before dental exam

Right: Six months after dental treatment

Dental FAQ's

International Association of Equine Dentistry Member List

Christmas in July Sale Date Set

Traveller's Rest will have a Book and Yard Sale July 14, 2007 from 9AM until 3PM to benefit its special residents. TREES is currently accepting clean, gently used yard sale items, tack, stable supplies and equipment, and pre-owned books of all genres to add to the sale. All proceeds from the sale will be used to feed and care for current residents and to help educate owners of senior horses on special care considerations.

If you have items to donate to the sale, please contact Traveller's Rest at info@equineelders.org or call 540-972-0936.

Sale location: 8815 Robert E Lee Drive, Spotsylvania, VA 22553

Songs for Seniors

iGive.com Members: Spend a penny, get a 20¢ donation! Use the link below to take advantage of Buy.com's 1¢ CD promotion and get a 20¢ donation for Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary!http://www.iGive.com/html/fm.cfm?vendorid=615
Offer ends July 18, 2007!
(New to iGive.com? Join for free at http://www.igive.com/html/refer.cfm?causeid=29456)

Tuffy Love. 43 year old horse still working!

Owners of senior horses often ask us when they should retire a horse from riding. There is no single answer to that question. As long as a horse is comfortable, in good health, and willing he can work as long as he likes.

After 30 years on the job, a 43 year old Quarter horse gelding named Tuffy is still working as a therapy horse at Edmonton's Whitemud Equine Learning Centre in Alberta, Canada. Tuffy's owners retired him a few years ago, but the old workhorse became depressed and stopped eating when he could no longer work with disabled children via the Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association. He currently works one hour a day, four days a week and will continue to do his job as long as he remains in good health. Tuffy was named Canadian Therapeutic Horse of 2005.

Read the Edmonton Sun article about Tuffy's work.

Christmas in July Book and Yard Sale to benefit senior horses

Traveller's Rest will have a Book and Yard Sale in mid July to benefit its special residents. Specific date and times to be announced soon. TREES is currently accepting clean, gently used yard sale items, tack, stable supplies and equipment, and pre-owned books of all genres to add to the sale. All proceeds from the sale will be used to feed and care for current residents and to help educate owners of senior horses on special care considerations.

If you have items to donate to the sale, please contact Traveller's Rest at info@equineelders.org or call 540-972-0936. For the next several days, email is the preferred method of contact. Friday's storm disabled one telephone line and the answering machine. We should be back to normal communications by Thursday June 14.