The C Word, Top Barn Challenge and The Laminitus Worry

Well, hasn't our world turned upside down in the last couple of weeks??
I hope everyone stays safe and well!!

I am very grateful that Jo and I rent our land privately, as many Livery Yards have banned owners from visiting their horses.  I have been lucky over the years to either have my horses at work, or rent privately.  The only Livery Yard I have ever been on was years ago and it was DIY with only 4 owners. I think I would probably lose the plot if I couldn't see Charlie and his mares every day!

Being at very high risk due to my dodgy lungs and dicky ticker, I am self isolating expect for doing the ponies.  As I live in a 4 room shoe-box flat with Mark the Mechanic (and Part-time Horse Whisperer) I would go insane without our glorious isolated 24 acres to run about in.  Ok I can't do running!!! But just the fresh air, exercise and being able to hug Charlie and breathe in his delicious horsey smell leaves me able to cope!!  Even Mark chose to use his allotted hours exercise yesterday, coming up to The Farm, grooming Charlie (which he really enjoyed), and helping me Hay. It seems he has already thoroughly explored all four rooms in the flat!!
I am a firm believer of fresh air and sunshine as a healer!

So If you find yourself stuck inside and unable to see your horse for a while, you have my sympathy.  If you have Netflix, you could binge watch Heartland(if you haven't already), or watch Unbranded, a film about some guys that took on Mustangs from kill-pen and rode them from The southern border of USA to the Northern border (its real, not a movie!).  There is also a bunch of You Tube vids to gorge on.  I thoroughly recommend Emma Massingale, Ride Like a Viking, Karl Greenwood and Carson James.  Oh and my Channel!!!  As for books? Carson James has a great book, or try Mark Rashid. For great novels check out Amanda Wills, Riverdale series.  Not forgetting The Ridgeway Romp, now available in paperback as well as E-book (Ok enough self plugging!!!)

And so, The Top Barn 2020 Challenge is on its last week.  And what a challenge it's been this year.  I baled very early (Week 4) due to a serious Chest Infection that left me with a poorly heart and 2 cracked ribs.  Many others were defeated by the strong wind and rain. And now this bloody virus has seen a few out because they can't even get to their horses.
But still Jo has ploughed on through it all. Lulu is as fit as a fiddle and enjoying the extra work.  I am so proud of Jo for her determination to finish this challenge whatever!  She has about an hour to complete!!  Well done Jo and Lulu.

And now the serious bit!!  It's a bit of a worry to see many yards that are now on lock-down and are short staffed, are now turning horses out onto 24/7 grazing. 
While this relieves the amount of work for the limited staff, and may make the ponies happy (temporarily)  there is a huge danger of laminitus occurring.  Horses that have been stabled during the Winter (even just at night) have probably been fed grain and rugged. Most will still be chubby from being stationary for 8 plus hours. Suddenly turning them out onto fresh spring grass, maybe still rugged, and possibly with a sudden drop in hay rations WILL cause Laminitus!! 
If this is the only option, I would recommend making a track system, so they have to walk a long way for water, still feeding hay, and stripping the rugs off pronto!!  Horses are designed to survive huge variants in temperature!! They are also designed to travel miles each day, live on scrubby land and drop weight in Winter!!!  Speaking of rugs.....Only clipped horses need them!!!  An over-heated horse is going to be uncomfortable at the least!!  Wild horses DO NOT have rugs! They can survive in extreme cold. A fat score of 4 or more, is the equivalent of a heavyweight rug!

To save all this stress and change, the simple way to keep horses happy is to leave them out 24/7 all year round in all their naked glory.  Feed ample hay and that will keep them warm.  Remember horses need the 3 Fs....
Friends, Freedom and Forage!  Not Rugs, Stables, Grain!  This not only saves time and money, it also keeps the horse happy, healthy and calm. It also means that they eat the new grass as it appears...slowly... and their systems slowly adapt to the change in diet!  

In all my ten years looking after the horses at the RDA, they lived out 24/7 on mostly hay (they all had a small feed of chaff and carrots when they worked as a Thank-You).  Despite most of them being elderly ( quite a lot were fit and working into their 30's), they thrived, lived in 2 herds, and i am proud to say I never had a case of Laminitus and only one of colic ( a new horse that had a huge worm burden).  We had no EMS or Ulcers. None of the horses were grumpy, or hard to catch, and they were all very laid back. 
And our own herd is also thriving!!  Despite all the wind and rain, we have only used a rug for holding down the hay on the trailer. We have used ONE bag of Chaff all winter!!  Our ponies are all looking fit and well. They are at ideal weights, with glossy coats, and are more than eager to work with us....even at liberty. 

Anyway Lecture over... But Food For Thought?

Stay Safe.

Spring is Springing, A Hack, and The Horse That Will Not Back Up

Dare I say it????? Spring Seems to be Springing!!!  Today both Chanice (Who Helps on Saturdays Which Is Now Sundays) and I were both down to T-Shirts by the end of the morning!!!  I also stripped off to a T-shirt on Wednesday which reminded me I should start wearing a bra again!!!  I have been bra-less since cracking my ribs as the band pushed against the cracks and hurt. 

And so Monday was a momentous occasion.  Jo and I hacked out on Lu and Daisy together!!!! For the first time since last April, after which she went lame with the most horrendous bout of laminitus caused by her EMS.  For those who have not followed the blog, we spent months getting her right, padded back to front shoes, homeopathy, steamed hay, a restricted paddock etc, only for her to get an abcess in a hind, which took weeks of cutting back and poulticing. We then started to work on building up her lost muscles in hand. I crazed the Farrier to let me ride her, but he didn't want us to rush things. Considering the Vet said we may never be able to ride her again, and we had even booked the Knackerman, initially thinking the abcess was a pulled Suspensory Ligament, I was patient.  As soon as she was given to all clear to be ridden I went down with my Heart damaging Chest Infection.  Meg rode her a couple of times.

Finally on Monday I felt well enough to give it a go!!  It was a lovely ride. It felt so good to be out on Daisy again.  She jogged and strode out, ears pricked and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I was so happy to be doing something that at one time I didn't think I would be doing again. She may have no brakes, little steering and the odd frilly moment, but I love her to bits, and being able to hack her out again is a dream come true. There is a very edited video to watch on East Suffolk Ponies Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/charliehorseandfriends/?ref=aymt_homepage

Jo and Lulu are still going strong in The Top Barn Challenge.  There is one Plus Challenge we cannot get Lu to do, and that's back up in a semi circle.  All the others will back up easily. While playing with the Mini Herd, in their paddock perfecting them saying "Please", I checked them backing up. Yup they all do it on command.  I had Charlie in on Tuesday, running through our tricks, and starting the foundation of a new trick. I asked him to back a semi circle, loose and with my hands in my pocket. Yup...No problem! But Lulu? No way. I have never met a horse that will not yield to pressure. Until Lu. Most horses will back away from a finger in the chest, or a little pressure on the lead rope. Failing that swinging a rope towards them, or walking towards them with purpose will work. The idea being to get the pressure down to just moving a foot towards them will cause them to a back up a step, or just using the words "Back Up".

Lu WILL NOT submit to anything!!  A poke in the chest results in her walking forwards. A waggle of the rope.....Nothing. Pressure on the lead rope may get 2 or 3 backwards steps, but that's it. Getting really dominant just provokes her into barging into you, ears back. We have come to the conclusion that she is THE most dominant mare ever.  She is most definitely the herd leader, and does not expect even the humans in the herd to tell her where to place her feet.  It would be a problem except in all other ways she is polite and respectful. I guess backing is just a step too far!

The weekend finished well, with a friend from school visiting and having her first ever hack on Daisy, accompanied by Jo and Lu, Nancy and Mini (with Meg) and myself leading Charlie.  Today Chanice (who helps on Sundays now) rode Daisy and lead Mini as an experiment which all went well.

There is a new Trick Video available on YouTube https://youtu.be/eqgl0IM9Aqw

Top Barn Challenge Week 7, More Storms and Breakfast With Charlie

So Jo and Lulu are still in the Top Barn Challenge, and week 7 is now finishing. Jo has used the last week as her rollover week, and so from Monday we buckle down to finishing the last 5 weeks.  This week has been a non-starter.  Jo has had home stuff to tackle, I am still next to useless (Chest Infection gone, but low on energy, breath and ribs still painful), and no sooner had Storm Ciara gone, then Storm Dennis rolled in.

Storm Dennis seems never-ending. He must have a very whippy tail, as the wind has not dropped below 20 mph, generally being around the 30mph mark, and according to my weather app, there is no end in sight. Despite being naked and on top of the only hill in Suffolk, the ponies are doing well. They are all like polar bears! Its at this point Winter seems to drag.  Now the nights are drawing out, and the blossom and daffs are beginning to bloom, I get impatient for the T-shirt days to begin.

Last weekend it was so wet and cold that we brought Mini into the Tack-room so Nancy could dry her off before a quick ride. That child is hardcore!!! Mini amused us by showing how good she is at saying Please!

Speaking of Minis.....We are looking for another Shetland.  Preferably a Standard Mare. Older rather than younger, but unbroken to ride is ok.  Our Mini has spent the best part of her life with Sweet Pea (another Shetland who passed away 18 months ago) and just seems a little lost still.  She would like a friend her size.  We would be happy to do a loan swap with Dora The Explorer, a Welsh Sec A who is wasted with us at the moment.  Dora would make a great 2nd pony, is fully papered and has great paces. She is just not really a lead rein pony.

So as I am still crook, and unable to do anything too strenuous with Charlie Bear, I brought him in for a breakfast date.  I set us up a table and chair, and he had brekkie from the table, while I had my morning coffee. Was a great date.
While this may seem a little strange, you can't beat just bonding with your pony.
As Humans, we are always in a hurry.  We often put pressure on ourselves to hurry hurry hurry, to 'achieve' something.  Every moment with our horses must be spent doing what we feel is important (schooling, jumping etc).  Horses live life at a much slower pace.  They don't get the need to get on and learn something every time they see you.  They don't go back into the field satisfied that they have learnt shoulder-in. If you work your Horse every time you see him, he is not going to look forward to you appearing in the field with a head-collar. If you really want to create a bond with your horse, just spend time together. Hang out with no agenda. Bring him in for a Breakfast Date. Spend time just scratching him. Give him a pamper session. Go for a walk together. 

To learn some tricks check out my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLYQBYhWqo_WPVdz9MFkCtA/videos?view_as=subscriber

Or follow us at https://www.facebook.com/charliehorseandfriends/

Top Barn Challenge Week 5, A Drop Out and That Storm

So the Challenge rolls on. As do Jo and Lulu. Positively inspired, Jo has been hacking out in all weathers alone.  We had a slight to-do about a track in Week 4.  Our lovely neighbours stopped Jo riding up a track we have used forever (16 years methinks), which leads to the Farm Tracks we have permission to ride on. Turns out the Neighbour does own the bottom on the track, but very quickly the Farm gave us permission to ride around that on the edge of a field, so no harm done. 

Feeling worse and worse I confined myself to the Yard for Groundwork with Lily in Week 4, giving Charlie his holiday!  Week 5 dawned. I gave Lily a week off and started working Charlie again. Until Wednesday when I went to Papworth for a routine check-up on my Dodgy Lungs and Dicky Ticker. I won't go into details, except to say I hate the new site.  In a Heart and Lung Hospital I managed to walk 5 miles finding my way to various tests.  I was away 12 hours including travel.  They discovered that my never-ending cold is in fact a chest infection, and that my heart is struggling atm. Armed with some antibiotics, and some strict words from the Consultant about being in the Transplant Zone, and Resting etc, I had a very long journey home to think. I'm not ready for the Transplant stuff.  I plan to be around for a long time yet.  So I am taking the advice to slow down (temporarily), until the Infection has gone and my Heart Rate has come back to normal. So with a heavy (and poorly) heart, I decided to drop out of the Challenge, in the hope that I will still be around to compete next year.

So I have now become Jo's photographer, video editor and Unglamorous assistant!!  On that note I gave her and Lu a few pointers on Sideways Shit and some schooling tips on Friday. Lu was broken as a Happy Hacker, so lacks the bendy school stuff.  Enter the glamorous assistant!!!  Hahahaha. Does that sound evil???  While I cannot teach Jo (as she can already ride perfectly well), I LOVE teaching green horses a better way to go.  SOOO that is now my mission. I also threw in a few raised poles.  Lu couldn't make her mind up weather to jump them or not.  Her front end came up, while her back end trotted. Methinks this pair will be jumping cross-poles by the end of this challenge!!!!! 

And so today Storm Ciara Hit us....as very well predicted. Being on top of the only hill in Suffolk had its drawbacks.  The herd was fine in their naked glory. All warm and unbothered by the Winds,as they live out 24/7.  But Room-Service had a few problems delivering the hay. I laid across the trailer like a starfish but we still managed to lose a bales worth of hay, last seen heading across the fields at some speed. We managed to deliver what was left, after we had swallowed a fair amount, and went back for seconds. Its very Yummy!!  Today gets the record for the longest time ever taken to deliver Hay.  And I am still rubbing it out of my eyes!!!

Still Spring is Following!!!

Top Barn Challenge Week 3, And Daisy!

So its Week 3 in the Top Barn Challenge, and we are still going strong.  Well Jo is. I still have the Cold from Hell!  I know its dragging on!!  Mark The Mechanic and Part-Time Horse Whisperer has turned Doctor this week and has diagnosed me with a cracked rib from coughing.  After I had finished laughing (which was quickly coz it hurt so damn much), I actually agree with him.  I have properly broken ribs in the past, and its all the same....Can't breathe without it hurting, can't move, change down gears, steer the truck, cough, sneeze or laugh without stabbing pains. Mark reckons my ribs are weak due to the Radiotherapy and Pneumonia (he hasn't mentioned menopause!!!), and he has a point. Still a little cracked rib and never ending mucus in my lungs and nose is not going to stop me!!

So Week 3 saw Jo and Lulu disappearing out for hacks alone without a care in the World.  While I had a falling out with Charlie. After a nice walk out on Monday, by Wednesday he wouldn't be caught.  I chased him down for half an hour.....But gasping for breath and a top speed of snails pace per hour in a 2 acre field meant I had as much chance of catching him as a 2CV racing a Formula One car. I gave up, sat down in the cold wet mud 10ft away from him, and told him how upset I was that he couldn't give me half an hour of his precious time.  I told him that I loved him and was very hurt when he treated me like the enemy. I explained to him, that by the grace of The Gods (actually the wonderful Sara Higgins ), he could have easily ended up in a Tesco Ready Meal (other supermarkets are available). I told him how much I go without to ensure he wants for nothing. Oh yes! I got it all out!!  He waggled his ears to and fro, and came over and nudged me.  Whereupon I staggered up, said "No its too late", and marched over the to willing Lily.

So the next day I wanted to make amends.  I wondered if he was hating the boring stuff like lunging. I know he loves his Trick Training. For the last year or so he has met me at the gate, stuffing his nose into the headcollar, eager to see what we would learn next.  So I went out to catch him.  He said No again. So I took Lu in and went back for Daisy.  Charlie did NOT want to be left out, so came in with Daisy, sharing the one headcollar and rope.  We ran through some tricks and all was good.

Friday was a big day!!!!  Meg answered my plea to ride Daisy!!  We decided to go down to Marsh Farm and back.  Jo and Lu lead the way (by about half a mile) and Meg bravely gave Daisy her first hack in about 10 months. I followed, panting on foot with a very brave Charlie.  We encountered Sheep and Swans which scared him, but he remained attached to me at all times.

Meanwhile Lily has been a star.  We have spent the week Long-reining, working through obstacles, Liberty work and hanging out at the Mounting Block. She has tried hard with everything and is very keen to learn.

Today the Farrier came. He pared back Daisy's feet and nearly cried.  Underneath the new growth, her soles have stabilized  and pushed those protruding Pedal Bones back. He was amazed.  So thank you Vince Buckman for getting our little Highland sound again.  Daisy has now got her front shoes on normally!!! We are all soooo Happy!

We were overjoyed today to see Vivienne Sadler and Sharon Bleese, who has had a fight with Cancer. Sorry I had to disappear quickly, but the Tractor spat out its dummy (steering rack) in the Biggies paddock, and Mark The Mechanic and Part Time Horse Whisperer turned up to work his magic.  Please come back soon xx

Top Barn Week Two....And More About Rhythm Beads

Phew it's Full On Top Barn Challenge.  We are smashing it so far. Can we keep up the pace for the next 10 weeks? Hell Yeah! Even though this week I have dot a dold.....(moan moan). It's the 1st cold I have had for about two years, so I shouldn't moan...But i will!! It is PANTS.  And the reason why I am still up this late....I can't breathe. I know with PAH I have trouble breathing anyway, but this makes it worse......So Moan Moan Moan!!! And Charlie in particular can feel I am weak, and is taking the mick big time. Makes for funny vids tho!!

Last week (the first week of the challenge) we totally killed it!! I explained to Charlie that he couldn't push me around, and gained trust with Lily by walking her alone in scary places. Jo became Stormin Norman!! Hacked Lulu out alone in a proper Hoolie and came back grinning!!  Now we can't stop her!!!  To be fair, Lu has become a different pony.  Being the Herd Leader, she gets worried when left alone too long. She feels all the responsibility for the safety of the herd.  She is highly intelligent, and when she has nothing to do except look after the herd, she overthinks everything and gets stressy.  In the last 10 days, Jo has taken control, taking Lu away from the others, and by taking her out of their comfort zones, has shown Lu that in fact, she is not in control. Lu has visibly relaxed, knowing that her Mum is in charge. 

Week Two.  Lulu is still relaxed and happy that her Mum is in charge. Charlie on the other hand has been on the phone to Horse-Line complaining that his Slave is trying to sit on him. They obviously told him to stand up for himself, and use his strength.  Sensing my weakness (Yup THE COLD), he has been a total TWOT!! Today, I ignored him and took Lily out.  Himself didn't like that, and followed me along the fence line, grabbing at Lil's headcollar, and waving it at me. Hey Charlie...You Snooze, You Lose!! Meanwhile Lily has been a star. She is a pleasure to walk out with, and is eager to work, coming over to me as soon as she sees I am holding a headcollar.  

BTW....Daisy is beginning to feel like she isn't loved!!  Jo brought her in Monday and gave her some love and grooming.  Maybe I should have entered Daisy into the Challenge as well, but doing Lily and Charlie is more than enough hours. However Daisy would love to get out. So if anyone would like to come and ride her out...she is ready to go. She is a great hack. Bombproof, but not a slouch. Real fun... Meg? Viv? Shona?  

And so my verdict on the Rhythm Beads?  I think they work.  They have definitely calmed Lu down. Lily seems laid back when she is wearing them. And I have before and after Videos of Charlie going from wild to calm after I put them on.  So I have been busy making Rhythm Beads for all our ponies.  At the very least, when they are wearing them, they will understand they are working, and at the very most, the bells will distract them from scary monsters, and soothe them into a rhythm and calmness.  These Rhythm beads were first used by Native American Indians....and what they don't know about horses isn't worth knowing!  

I am starting to make these bead necklaces for sale on Ebay #theriverrat66 and Etsy Suffolkbeachcombers. 

Top Barn 2020 Challenge Begins And Rhythm Beads.

Yes its here at last!!! The Top Barn Challenge 2020 began today. Woohoo. For those that were not following our blog last year....This is what its all about.

Top Barn is a centre in The Cotswolds that holds a Facebook Challenge every year. There are a number of levels to join depending on how many hours you can achieve each week. Bronze level is only 3 hours a week. Silver 5, Gold 7 and Platinum 10.  There are also Mini Challenges to achieve. The amount of Mini Challenges depends on the Level picked. The Mini Challenges for Groundwork include things like 'Pick up All Four Feet From one side', and 'Back into a Stable'.  This year there are also Plus Levels.  For instance Bronze Plus.  Each week a surprise Challenge will be issued for the Plus-ers. This Challenge lasts for 12 weeks.

I did the Bronze Challenge with Charlie last year. We had a heap of fun. The group is one of the nicest on Facebook, with everyone encouraging each other. The main object is to challenge yourself.  Its all too easy to do nothing with your horse in the Winter months.  So this is mega motivation.  And working through the Mini Challenges is basically a self challenge.

And so this year I am doing the Bronze Plus challenge with both Charlie and Lily. Thats 3 hours each a week. Meanwhile Jo is doing Bronze Plus with Lulu. I will be videoing everything, and posting on my YouTube channel weekly, so keep your eyes peeled....or subscribe to my channel so you don't miss it (its free!!).

So Day One today. We started well.  I started this morning with Charlie.  As I have been reading up on The 100 Mile Challenge (which involves walking 100 miles with your horse to gain trust and a bond), we went for a walk.  There is no way I can cover a 100 miles with my lungs, but the general idea is there.  You start in places that your horse is comfortable in.  So we went for a half hour walk round the Farm.....in fields Charlie has grazed in. Ok so it was windy and the mares were yelling but it was like flying a Cobby Kite.  I was very impressed with the 'Airs Above The Ground' Stuff!!! Yes my stocky cob is quite capable of doing Caprioles!

After the poo picking, haying etc, Jo and I got Lu and Lily in.  Lu had a lunge session and Lily had a tidy up, and a play with a very scary football.  As Lil's tidy up doesn't count all three ponies clocked up 30 minutes each today. 

You may notice Lu has a jangly necklace on. These are called Rhythm Beads.Its basically a necklace made of beads and bells.  Rhythm beads are an ancient Native American tradition.  They supposedly help the horse by minimizing distractions as the horse focuses on the bells rather than spooky situations. We shall see in time if this works....but its a great idea to let the horse know it is at work.  Like a guide dog in its harness.  When I worked at the RDA we had special neck straps that had handles on. Not only did this give the rider a hand-hold when needed, the horses also learned when they were wearing them they were at work.