People have been asking me why after all this time am I just doing something now. The truth of the matter is that I was one of those people that was foolish and forgot why I fell in love with horses in the first place. I was losing my passion and a horse did pay the price for my foolishness and I was so upset and to this day I still have not forgiven myself for what was done. So with that I thought if I could start a web site and get people to tell stories and I write things as I see it, maybe for some of you, you will take a step back and remember why you also fell in love with one of the most beautiful animals in the world. This is one of my many reasons for doing this.
I have been thinking about this for several days now and I think it is something we all need to think about. Now you must remember this is my opinion and my opinion only.
As young girls and boys we fell in love with horses. Some of us have made a career out of working with horses, and others just love being around them. What I am now noticing more and more is that we are not as forgiving as we should be with them.
If this animal was a dog or a child we would take the time to teach them whatever it is we want them to know, and have them do it right. But today horses are being started as young as a year and a half old and they are not even done growing. Years ago that was not even thought of. More people than I'd like to count want things done yesterday, so that brings us back to if it was a dog or a child it would be ok if they didn't do what we wanted right away. So why do we expect so much from an animal that gives us everything and is one of the most forgiving on the planet?
I also have noticed that if a horse comes up lame we do not take the time to help it get better we just move on to another horse. Is that because there are so many out there that the one we picked in the first place means nothing to us now or that it's just to easy to get another one?
The love for the horse is being lost somehow and they are the ones paying the price and it is just not right in my eyes. I also was guilty of doing things without thinking through what I was doing, and the buck stops here. These are living, breathing, thinking animals and they do trust us to do what is right for them and we just seem to keep doing them wrong. I have just touched on the tip of the iceberg and I will write more as this site grows.
As I had said with part one I have only hit the tip of the iceberg. Today I would like to talk about how people are over feeding and feeding for the wrong reasons.
I hear how people are feeding so that their foals grow faster and so they bulk up. Now whatever happened to letting them fill out as they grow? If I remember correctly horses have not completed their growth in two years. Some breeds take up to seven years to finish growing so why do we push it? I can only guess what some answers are but I'm not going to hit on that. Also with over feeding you fill up their flight tank and they become spooky. Horses, by nature, are creatures of flight because they're not high on the food chain.
I can understand when a horse is working hard they need extra food but those who are not doing anything - why do they need food? Do people enjoy looking at a horse that is overweight? I think there are a lot of myths on feeding and how much to feed and what to feed.
Yes, they should always have all the water and hay they can eat, and in the summer they should be on pasture if at all possible. I understand that some places do not have pasture so they feed hay, but if it is good quality hay then they do not need grain. Also senior horses should not be treated like a two year old.
A senior horse has different needs than a younger horse. So in this case it very well could be that they do need some grain but how much is too much? Horses do not have a large stomach so when they get a lot of food at one feeding there is a very good chance that the food will just ferment in the hind gut and that is not good either. I feel that a senior horse should get more meals than a younger horse and in smaller amounts.
More to come in a couple of days
I feel I need to touch on this topic. Many people get a horse for all the wrong reasons. Once they have the horse they realize how much work there is in its ownership. There are some who step up and learn what is needed, but there are also those who feel they know it all and don't even come close to demonstrating the responsibility needed in having a horse.
I was at a farm the other day and the vet and blacksmith were working on a horse. They were both in awe, and I must admit so was I. The horse was in poor shape, had not had it's feet done in over 4 months, and had shoes on. The teeth needed to be done - and this is just naming a couple of things.
When you decide that you would like to have a horse you must remember that they do not clean themselves very well so you need to groom them on a regular schedule, They also need to eat - mainly hay, but some are hard keepers and do require grain. They need to be wormed and get shots every year. Their feet need to be done more than once a year! In the summer they should be done on a six week rotation. In the winter you can go a little longer between trims as the foot does not grow as fast, so every eight weeks is about right.
When a horse has shoes on it needs blacksmith attention on a regular rotation so that the feet do not end up worse than before the shoes had been put on.
With this being said, we must all remember that horses need us to do right by them, and good basic care, including regular vet and blacksmithing, is part of doing right.
I would like to take this moment to fill everyone in on a couple of things. I'm sorry for not doing as I said with keeping up with my website. There are not enough hours in a day that is for sure..
I also would like everyone to know that Naveah is no longer with us. She passed away in the fall. She had gone down hill very quickly due to her cushings.
Athena has gone home to her first home and from what I understand she is doing very well.. Her heaves are under control and she is loving life.. I am so happy for her.. May she have many good years to come.
I would also like to take this time to let everyone know that I am now the proud owner of a Thoroughbred Stallion. Many of you might know him or have heard people talk about him. His name is Tejabo and he is a wonderful boy. I will be standing him at stud for the 2009 breeding year. All mares are welcome, so if you are intersted please e-mail me and ask me anything you would like. His bookings are almost full already so don't miss your chance to have a Tejabo baby.
Resolute is also a new member of the crew and she will be one of the mares that breeds to Tejabo.. Can't wait to see what the little one will be like.. Resolute is a very sweet mare and she is doing very well learning that life is not just running. She is a gem and she will be loved.