catch me if you can
This message is from: Ursula Jensen [EMAIL PROTECTED] You really only need to convince the 'boss' of the herd to follow you or to come to you or whatever.the others will follow.concentrate on the leader and the others will followuj Ursula Brian Jensen Trinity Fjords Box 1032 Lumby BC Canada V0E-2G0 http://okjunc.junction.net/~ujensen/ [EMAIL PROTECTED] (250) 547-6303
Fjord action (long)
This message is from: Dagrun Aarsten [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello all listers, Well, here is a last update from my Fjord life in San Jose. I came back 3 weeks ago after spending a wonderful Christmas in Norway and some time in Italy. Dear little(?) fjord Tinn is doing fine. He had a nice long Christmas vacation in the mud, getting good care and some groundwork by owner Ruthie, but no riding or driving for a while. So now he is back to work (and he even seems quite happy about it), but only weekends since we have no lit arena and it gets dark before I finish work. In a few months that is going to change! I've also spent quite some time with fellow lister Brigid and her 3 fjords - which has been great! The first time she let me ride Tommes, who was an absolute angel but a little heavy and slow. I was exhausted after 5 minutes and had to take a break. He even gave me a little canter but I think I was working harder than him! He is a really nice horse, though, with a big, rythmic trot when he decides to move forward:-) Then Brigid got on and I made an attempt to instruct her and I think we both enjoyed it. I have stolen most of my methods from Mary Wanless, and the good thing about them is that they give instant results! We worked on Brigid's seat a little and suddenly Tommes was moving beautifully, I could see it and she could feel it. So the second time I went with Brigid she let me ride her turbo fjord - Knute. What he does best is running - and fast! After some groundwork I decided to get on..he seemed nice and calm and didn't seem to mind me getting in the saddle... then, 0.1 seconds later he was at full gallop! No question of having time getting my feet in the stirrups - I was just hanging on and hoping he wouldn't fall in the corners! Luckily he is quite athletic with impressive balance so he didn't even trip once. I didn't attempt to stop him until he slowed down by himself since I imagined pulling the reins would make things worse. After a while he slowed down, and I rode him around just like a normal horse, starting and stopping and trotting and he was an angel. He is the most sensitive fjord I've ever ridden, and I really enjoyed it. At the end I dismounted and mounted again, twice, and he didn't move at all, unless I asked him. Good boy. A day or two later, Brigid rode him and he behaved well again. So before going again this weekend, I had high hopes for him :-) This time (today) we tried having Tommes and Knute in the arena together, assuming that it would be calming for Knute to have another horse around... Well the theory was good :-) I tried finding the perfect trade-off between getting in the saddle quickly and sitting down softly not to scare him. But this time I was too slow... and he was gaining speed before I was in the saddle...and turning left at the same time...so I was going over his right side. My attempts to hang on only scared him and made him go faster, so I decided to drop off politely, landing quite hard on my hip and thanking my helmet for protecting my head from what could have been a hard impact. Knute 1 - Dagrun 0 Turbo fitted or not, being a fjord, Knute stopped immediately and looked around to see what happened to me! He is so sweet. I limped up to him and we decided to let him run off some steam free lunging while I was catching my breath. Tommes joined in with some impressive acceleration and bucks (who would have thought he could be so fast!). When they decided to calm down, I was ready for my second attempt. This time it was better. He stood still while I mounted and walked off slowly. Then I probably did something (breathe?) that made him take off again. Everything was looking fine, he was clearing corners at his usual speed until I felt the saddle starting to slip...towards the outside. After some fast thinking I decided to stand down heavily in the opposite stirrup. This could have been a good plan, but Knute, being an extremely sensitive horse, interpreted this as a signal to change direction...boy can that horse turn fast! By this time I was leaning to the right trying to push that stirrup down, so with him spinning around to the left, I was an easy victim :-), hitting the dirt again. Knute 2 - Dagrun 0. After that, Brigid took Tommes out to see if Knute would concentrate better by himself. And I spent 1/2 hour leading him around and pretending to get up, leaning in the stirrup, and even hanging over his back. Brigid has this great strap that goes from the saddle around the horse's right front leg, to keep the saddle from slipping when mounting. I decided that if he took off again, I could push down the left stirrup and this would keep the saddle from slipping. Brigid joined in with her clicker and rewarded him every time he stood still while I lifted my foot, hung on the saddle etc. I got halfway up and the down again several times and he did well. Finally I decided it seemed safe to get all the way into the saddle. Unfortunately my body was a little unhappy
Re: lice
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gail, I have found Melaleuca Oil (Tea Tree Oil) is great for ridding everywhere of lice and it's environmentally safe and nontoxic. I also use it on ear mites in dogs and cats -- works better than the Vet stuff. Robyn in MD
Re: founder
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Janet, sorry to hear that your pony foundered. I have a saying from one of my older vets that he's never met a pony who hasn't foundered or won't in the future. We even had a case of mechanical founder where a pony mare foundered from the stress of carrying too heavy a rider up and down hills. Admit that one was a new one on me and she didn't seem to mind the weight. Another lesson learned and filed away. Any way given access to a running stream I like standing them in it for as long as possible several times a day. If that isn't possible we use buckets and stick all four in and run the hose in them keeping the water as cold as possible. We hand walk on soft ground such as a sand ring several times a day. I have seen vets pack feet for this but never done that one. I like using MSM twice a day added to a little grain, most will ignore it and eat it, also oral bute or the new buteless bute which has Devil's Claw in it and is easier on the stomach. The MSM seems to help blood flow and inflamation. My understanding is during the founder process histimines are released and if you are in time you can use antihistimines to stop the process. I've never managed the in time part so always ended up treating it. After all is healed we trim and pull the toes back as far as possible, this changes the breakover slightly and seems to make most comfortable and usable without shoes. Hope that helps and really with over 30 plus years caring for all ages and sizes of equines I've only had one who ended up not usable and that was after many times of founder. Good luck, Robyn in MD
Re: founder
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Pat this horse of mine is too sensitive and will only tolerate Vit C added and lixotinic in his grain. I have to threaten him and coerce to get him to accept his Tri histamine hidden in lixotinic. Believe me I have tried it all. Whereas he will not even notice a shot in the rump so whenever possible thats where it goes. Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Wormer Design
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I agree with the small hands, long wormer tube issue I have emailed one of our Program's supporters who is a VP for Merial and let him know there are a lot of us out here who would appreciate a design change. I will gladly forward anyone else's comments to him. Robyn in MD where I saw crocus blooming today and for everyone who has been praying for Cai (my big girl) I brought her home from Univ. of PA Vet Hospital yesterday. The mass they took out of her chest Tuesday was the size of a cantaloupe and weighed 20 lbs. She's lost some weight but is doing good. I had to buy her a coat since half of her is shaved. No doggy coats available that big so went to State Line Tack and got a foal coat, fits perfectly and is adjustable and only $20.00. Although she is not real happy about it figures she's lived 12 years without one!
Re: ????????
This message is from: Mariposa Farm [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean Gayle wrote: I have no idea what excursive means and just hope it is clean. I think it means printing. :) Mark
Re: Keswick
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks for the continuing tale of Kez. What a nice camp they have for him, if he has to be away from you. When do you plan on his return home? We sure are glad he is having what looks like a lot of fun Horsing around with the others. Tillie Dun Lookin' Fjords Bud,Tillie Amy Evers Redmond OR (541) 548-6018 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/8589
Re: founder
This message is from: Glen L. Porter [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Jean: I also had problems giving bute until I started using the powdered form. I would mix it with warm molasses and then put it in a bran mash or small amount of grain and feed before I did the regular feeding. Pat - Original Message - From: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002 6:08 PM Subject: Re: founder This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Janet having just been through a three month period of not knowing if founder or trim was to blame I can understand your dilemma. Mine turned out to be a very bad and short trim and then bruising to the sole. Re the coffin bone, I was also concerned about this but I think a light case is more a warning than a problem for the coffin bone. The newest trend seems to be to excursive the horse but they do not seem to have enough proof that is the best way. I gave bute twice a day in fairly large quantities and no problems occurred, except my patience and bruises from administering to a huge horse who can put his nose almost ten feet in the air!! Good luck Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Keswick
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just an update on Kez. He is now 9 months old and doing very well. Some of you will remember I took him to Beth and Sandy at Starfire Farm when he was 6 months old, so that he could learn to be a horse. Being an orphan and raised by humans he thought he was one and this showed when he first arrived at Starfire. He was afraid when the other youngsters ran, but not any more he is totally one of the herd. He is with another colt and 2 fillies. Both he and the other colt Arend will be gelded on Tuesday. I miss Kez very much, but he needed to be a horse and I am so thankful to Beth and Sandy for letting him stay at Camp Starfire. I receive a letter and picture every weekend addressed to Mom and Dad and signed Kez, he tells me what the camp councilors are up to and what has happened during the week since his last letter. I have been able to watch him grow and hear what he is doing which makes the separation easier. Sandy has taken so many pictures she sent me a disk with 400 of them this weekend. Sandy has also added Kez at Camp to the Starfire web site, so if you would like to see Kez just go to Starfirefarm.com. Sandy is so talented and has done a wonderful job. So those of you who have followed Keswick's story take a look. Sue in NM Kez in Colorado Sue Clark-Sorger Crown Oak Fjords Sandia Park NM
????????
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Usually we can decipher a person's misspelling but the computer gave me excursive when I was trying to spell exercise. I have no idea what excursive means and just hope it is clean. Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: founder
This message is from: Bossmare [EMAIL PROTECTED] In regards to various treatments for founder in recent years my vets have given DMSO, gallons of it dripped via IV. This works as both an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Reducing inflammation is essential to prevent or reduce damage to the feet. As for exercise I personally believe that the first couple of days should be spent in a deeply bedded stall. Many times the horse will move very little. When I see some voluntary exercise in the stall I let the horse out onto soft ground, ideally sand. I do not believe in forced exercise at all. The idea behind no exercise is to prevent damage to the lamina in the feet leading to more separation and rotation. However I think it needs to be balanced with the need for the rest of the horse to get some exercise and not feel isolated. Wet sand is ideal as it supports the foot and my horses always showed signs of relief when out in wet sand. As far as bedding goes I have found Woody Pet (a pelleted wood product sold for bedding purposes) is ideal. It pours out as hard pellets but if hosed will break down into a sand-like consistency. It is very cushiony in the stall, much better than shavings or straw. It should be remembered that laminitis/founder is the end result of a digestive upset or other trigger. It is essentially a circulatory problem. Finally I believe all easy keepers should be tested for thyroid and insulin levels. I have it done at the time of yearly vaccinations as a matter of course. That way a person can keep track year to year of any changes and adjust diets or put on medication if necessary. Not to disparage other areas of the country, or the globe, but a lot of success with veterinary care depends on what's available. I happen to live in an area of up-to-date progressive equine specialists. My previous vet was a cow and pig man with very simplistic ideas about equine medicine (actually admitted once he didn't like horses). People on other boards concerned with laminitis complain about the difficulty in getting appropriate and modern care from their veterinarians and their farriers and sometimes the more rural the area the greater the difficulty. Re: length of time for recoverythat can range from a month to a year. The mare that had the worst acute case in October is now sound in February. The other mare I had who did not seem as severe took a year before the lameness went away. Neither mare suffered abscesses but this can be worse than the founder if they get entrenched and cause long term infection. The mare I had to put down (mother of the young mare) suffered chronic abscesses that eventually destroyed her coffin bone. She was affected for 6 years. Lois in New Jersey where there are *some* advantages despite our image and the horse is the state animal. - Original Message - From: Janet McNally [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2002 2:18 PM Subject: founder So now I have some questions. she is still standing, has been examined by a vet, and is now being treated with oral bute and cold water on the feet (all four are affected). She is not severly lame, but definitely tender, warm, with a detectable pulse. Her feet are trimmed. Someone mentioned that it was good to walk the horse, but my vet said to give her complete stall rest on soft bedding. Which is best? Besides feeding her coarse grass hay, are there other feeds or treatments that help reduce inflamation? Assuming the coffin bone does not rotate (I am still hopeful), how long will it take before she is ridable again? Why is bicarb not used to treat accute laminitis in horses? I am familiar with ruminants, and when a ruminant over consumes energy rich feeds, sodium bicarb (baking soda) is very theraputic in correcting the pH imbalance in the rumen. I realize the horse does not have a rumen, but is not the process of laminitis similar? Janet
Re: founder
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Janet having just been through a three month period of not knowing if founder or trim was to blame I can understand your dilemma. Mine turned out to be a very bad and short trim and then bruising to the sole. Re the coffin bone, I was also concerned about this but I think a light case is more a warning than a problem for the coffin bone. The newest trend seems to be to excursive the horse but they do not seem to have enough proof that is the best way. I gave bute twice a day in fairly large quantities and no problems occurred, except my patience and bruises from administering to a huge horse who can put his nose almost ten feet in the air!! Good luck Jean Jean Walters Gayle [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter Occupied Germany 1946 To 1949 ] http://users.techline.com/jgayle Send $20 Three Horses Press PO Box 104 Montesano, WA 98563
Re: founder
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] So now I have some questions. she is still standing, has been examined by a vet, and is now being treated with oral bute and cold water on the feet (all four are affected). She is not severly lame, but definitely tender, warm, with a detectable pulse. Her feet are trimmed. Someone mentioned that it was good to walk the horse, but my vet said to give her complete stall rest on soft bedding. Which is best? Also in the article on laminitis in this months' HORSE JOURNAl was the staement: Time honored, common-sense treatment such as cooling hot feet, keeping the horse on a soft deep surface and not forcing a lame horse to walk still apply. An old remedy, BTW was giving them Epsom salts...turns out that that is Magnesium Sulfate! Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska. Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: founder
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] Feed her magnesium! According to the HORSE JOURNAL, The first reference to magnesium for laminitis was actually as an emergency first aid measure in acute laminitis. Magnesium administration has been shown to have potent vasodilation effects, opening up peripheral blood vessels. It is safe and virtually free of side effects. Seeing that alfalfa is high in clacium, it would make sense that more magnesium would be needed. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, +2 F with some snowflakes The discussion on founder is timely for me. I am experiencing my first case of founder in a (non-fjord) drafty type pony of unknown heritage. Yes she is chunky, but not cresty necked. I am kicking myself for how it occured... I had just purchased a new load of round bales. This hay was a nice mix of alfalfa and grass, and if you take the bale as a whole, there was not too much alfalfa to do any damage. What I did not count on was the ability for this pony to 'mine' just the alfalfa leaves out of the bale. Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Upcoming P.N.F.P.G. Meeting!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Everyone!, The Spring meeting of the Pacific Northwest Fjord Promotional Group will be held on April 13th at a Farm Museum just north of Spokane, Wa. As usual gathering time will be at 4:00, dinner at 5:00, and meeting to follow. We are pleased to have Greta Cook, the coordinator for W.S.U.'s cooperative extention, to present a program on Emergency Preparedness for livestock. She will also present info on smaller pet preparedness as well. Greta has been doing this for five years now and we look forward to her presentation. I am currently working on having a local harness maker there also to show his work and hopefully items for sale as well. This will be a fun and informative meeting where we have a lot to accomplish. Please check this date on your calendars and plan to attend. Be checking your mail for a flyer on this meeting as well as the minutes from our last meeting. Respectfully, Kathleen Rollins P.N.F.P.G. Secretary Ps. Cost of the dinner will be approx. $10.00 per person, $2.00 per person for museum
founder
This message is from: Janet McNally [EMAIL PROTECTED] The discussion on founder is timely for me. I am experiencing my first case of founder in a (non-fjord) drafty type pony of unknown heritage. Yes she is chunky, but not cresty necked. I am kicking myself for how it occured... I had just purchased a new load of round bales. This hay was a nice mix of alfalfa and grass, and if you take the bale as a whole, there was not too much alfalfa to do any damage. What I did not count on was the ability for this pony to 'mine' just the alfalfa leaves out of the bale. Unlike feeding rationed out flakes of hay where she would have to eat the entire flake, she did not have to eat the grass and stems and instead selectively borrowed into the bale eating only the thin layers rich in alfalfa. The other horses with her were unaffected. So now I have some questions. she is still standing, has been examined by a vet, and is now being treated with oral bute and cold water on the feet (all four are affected). She is not severly lame, but definitely tender, warm, with a detectable pulse. Her feet are trimmed. Someone mentioned that it was good to walk the horse, but my vet said to give her complete stall rest on soft bedding. Which is best? Besides feeding her coarse grass hay, are there other feeds or treatments that help reduce inflamation? Assuming the coffin bone does not rotate (I am still hopeful), how long will it take before she is ridable again? Why is bicarb not used to treat accute laminitis in horses? I am familiar with ruminants, and when a ruminant over consumes energy rich feeds, sodium bicarb (baking soda) is very theraputic in correcting the pH imbalance in the rumen. I realize the horse does not have a rumen, but is not the process of laminitis similar? Janet
re: catch me if you can
This message is from: ruth bushnell [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I was a kid my Dad taught me that the best way to catch a horse at pasture is to pretend that you don't want to catch them. Saunter to a spot near them, without looking at them, and begin to busily start an imaginery project while you ignore them. In a few minutes curiosity will get the best of them and they'll be coming up to help. = Oh yes, don't forget to conceal the halter and lead rope until the opportune moment. Fjords seem to be much, much better than other breeds about being caught up and always seem to gravitate toward us when we walk among them. They are sooo friendly! That was a good point Lisa about keeping them guessing... Their penchant for repetitive habit can a great training tool, but it can also be a hindrance in some instances, like catching. They're big on associations! Ruthie, NW MT
catch me if you can.....
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/15/02 8:28:09 AM Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I live in WI and I cannot let my horses graze on pasture very long. My problem is getting them off. The first couple of days I can just walk up to them and lead them off the pasture. But after a couple of days they take off. My pasture is 2 1/2 acres and it can be almost impossible for me to get them. I have gone out there with a whip, but that doesn't help. I have tried calling them into the barn as I usually do for their grain but that doesn't work. Hi Bonnie ! This is an easy fix, although it wont be fast. Allow them to go out to pasture, then join them after an hour or two, no halters, with buckets of treats and brushs. Use both. g Leave them be for another hour or two. Even if it takes 4 hours to get them filled up to want to join you in the barn, do not let them think that every time you walk out therethat they are expected to quit their free time. In other words.get used to NOT catching them, while turned out. Instead, spend a few weeks just playing around and rewarding those who come up with food treats and grooming. Only after you have their complete confusionggg bring same treat buckets, brushs, AND halters. For awhile, just carry the halters and dont put any on. Then, put halters on before giving treats. DONT LEAD THEM BACK yet..you are still faking them out. You need to teach a reverse order to their thinking, oh gads, its momnow we have to go in ! You want then to waltz upget haltered, groomed, treats, then turned back out !Once they approach you and do not get put up, you will need to keep faking it once in awhile, but you should have enough good experiences to keep their memories alive !( will be tempting to cheat once caught, but the long haul will pay off. ) Estimated time of fake-out training ? I give it 3-4 weeks. Have fun just spending time while they wonder what the heck ? Lisa Pedersen * whos Fjords are in dry pasture, and have the other problem of trying to be FIRST into a bridle or halter.
