#ZenoBay

[thegreenhorseman]

Wordless Wednesday – 12/11/2019

[thegreenhorseman]

This week is National Pet ID Week so this is an excellent opportunity for us to cover horse identification!

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the need for identifying horses stems back many many years as a way to establish law and order.  People needed a way to prove their horse was in fact theirs when a horse got loose or was stolen.

Description

To get started, the first thing that can be done is to take and keep accurate descriptions of your horse with photographs.  These descriptions cover all the markings in detail.  For example, Blade’s star is not circular, so it is described as “irregular diagonal star at eye level, pointed to left on top.”  The descriptions will also describe the cowlicks the horse has as well as scars or brands.

Current photographs are always useful to have on hand as well.  Too bad we don’t all love our horses and take more pictures of them than our own family….

Many organizations, however, simply don’t go by these descriptions alone.  It is too easy for look-a-likes or doctored photos to raise questions.

DNA Registration

Some organizations prefer to have horses DNA-typed.  This helps to pinpoint genetic disparities as well as provide proof that this horse is in fact the one in question.  The Jockey club began enforcing a rule that a a foal’s parents must have been DNA-typed in order to be registered. DNA has benefits beyond identification, of course.  From preventing negative heritable conditions to development of effective medications or vaccines.

DNA testing can be quite foolproof and in fact has assisted Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation in identifying several unknown kill-pen thoroughbreds like VaiVia and Zeno Bay.  There is one major caveat to this method of identification, however; TIME.  Getting a DNA test requires time to collect samples and send them to a lab.  Assuming the DNA on file hasn’t degraded and the sample provided adequate amounts with no contamination it will take time to sequence and compare the DNA.  Most people and many organizations prefer to have a more immediate identification method.

So now what?

This is the point where we dive into the various ways we “mark” horses in order to accurately identify “who’s who.”

Branding

One of the oldest methods of identification of livestock.  Branding reminds me of the Wild West,” with old salty cowboys.  Brands are still very present today, especially on ranches where the brands help provide proof of horse and cattle ownership.

Branding is done by heating an iron (in the desired pattern) to a high enough temperature and literally burning the horse.  It only takes 2-3 seconds and will cause 3rd degree burns.  Once the wounds heal the brand will be on the horse forever.

Photo courtesy of Adam Cohn (Flickr)

In branding typically you see a design that is related to a specific farm and does not vary between individual animals.  The brands can often develop it’s own reputation for generations.   In the links section at the bottom I’ve included some great sites to learn more about reading brands (like Bar A, flying P, or Lazy K<—WHAT?  Click the links below to learn more!).

For probably obvious reasons I am not the biggest fan of branding.  I would never want to cause pain to my animals especially when other options are becoming available.  Brands are not for me, but I don’t judge those who use them.  In fact there is no proof that other methods are less painful; one study revealed similar behavioral pain responses to micro-chipping (I didn’t look into the study to evaluate it’s methods).  In reality, these horses get branded and within two minutes they are grazing happily.

On the subject of branding I came across this video below.  The video demonstrates the process of branding but is also an eye-opening example of how branding can be overused and made downright abusive.  I had not known until very recently that Exmoor ponies could be branded up to five times in their life.  THIS is a branding practice I will eagerly condemn!  I cannot seem to find any articles indicating new policies since 2013, but this is certainly a subject that will be on my radar from now on.  That said, if you find or know more about this please contact me here!

Freeze-marking

Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management (Flickr)

Freeze branding or freeze-marking has become a very popular practice.  Many breeds use the freeze mark to identify their individual horses.  Mustangs and Standardbreds furnish their marks on the neck.  In New Zealand thoroughbreds also used to get a freeze brand but that is being replaced by the microchip.  This year (2019) Standardbreds will also be tossing the freeze brand for the more subtle microchip.

Though freeze brands can be anywhere on the body and incorporate various digits or logos, the breed specific brands often follow what is called the Alpha Angle System.  Below is a fantastic graphic demonstrating how to make sense of the brand.

Freeze branding is performed similarly to hot iron branding.  With this method however, more attention is given to site preparation.  The area to be branded is often shaved and washed with rubbing alcohol to remove oils and make for a neater brand.  The branding iron is chilled in liquid nitrogen or dry ice/alcohol, ideally to -300°F.  The brand is applied to the skin and held for 8-45 seconds.

The timing of these methods vary greatly based on the materials, the horse, and the goal.  Less time is needed for darker horses than lighter horses.  Less time is needed if liquid nitrogen is used.  Less time is needed if the goal is a brand with white hair.  The cold destroys the pigment of the hair follicle.  When the brand is held longer the hair growth follicle will also get destroyed resulting in a bald brand.

The video below demonstrates how a horse is branded using the freeze-marking methods.

Lip Tattoo: 

The Jockey Club began the use of Lip tattoos in the early 1900s.  Lip tattoos are checked before races to ensure the right horse is racing rather than a look alike.   The tattoo format follows a very simple method.  The first digit is a letter corresponding to the year the horse was born.  The letter is followed by 5 numbers that are unique to the horse.

As youngsters the thoroughbreds get their upper lip tattoo.  A handler sometimes backs the horse into the corner of it’s stall to prevent it from moving.  He then uses a device to hold the lip up and flat so the tattoo technician can apply the ink.  Each digit has a stamp, the stamp is dipped in ink and pressed firmly into the lip tissue.  When the full tattoo is complete the ink is wiped away, a photo is taken, and the horse continues it’s day.

The issue with these tattoos is they fade.  People also can and have adulterated the lip tattoos by gouging off the numbers before dumping their horses into the kill-pen.  This is another method of identification that is going to the wayside as 2019 rings in the era of microchipping.

There may be more administrative interventions now, but for a while Facebook’s OTTB Connect group site was riddled with people asking for help reading tattoos.  The tattoos can often be very difficult to read.  To start getting a CLEAR photo of under the horse’s lip can be a challenge on it’s own.  The next step is to alter the photo’s brightness and contrast levels to help highlight the shape of the digits.

THERE IS NO ONLINE METHOD TO GET A TATTOO NUMBER FROM THE NAME.

The best you can hope for is to start with the age (the letter) and decipher a few of the digits.  From there you can sort through the list of matching horse descriptions.

Blade is my first horse, and I have dreams someday of getting my first tattoo that includes his tattoo number.  It took me a long time but I managed to figure out his lip number.  He was born in 2008 so the letter is L…then 16950.  So L16950.

I was amazed when I was able to find the numbers for the older boys!  I know they are both 21 years old, born in 1998.  The letter that year was B (each consecutive year is the next letter in the alphabet).  I’ve included some of the photos I captured alongside the changes I made to read the tattoo.

BLADE: L16950

ZENO BAY: B07120

VAIVIA: B43918

  Micro-Chipping

Microchipping has taken the forefront of today’s animal identification.  Dogs, cats, and horses.

Microchips are placed two inches below the crest and centered between the horse’s poll and withers.  It is a straightforward implantation and allows the horse to be scanned quickly and easily without any permanent physical marks being made.

The issue with microchips, however, is the immediate read.  These work well if the horse is close and the reader is handy.  In some situations, however, a microchip reader may not be available or the horse may not be up close.

In my research I have also learned about the potential for iris scanning.  The iris in the eye is as unique as our fingerprints.  For this reason iris scanning has been developed and proven very accurate and effective.  The only thing that could potentially change the iris is an eye injury.

The biggest disadvantage here is the cost.  The technology required for this is much more expensive than the microchip, which is why we see the microchip rising to the spotlight.

I’ve included a list of links to sites and articles I found to be very useful and informative.  I hope you’ll take some time to take a look at a few.

TheHorse.com – Horse Identification Fact Sheet

United States Dept of Agriculture – Equine Identification

Dr. Katie Flynn – Horse Identification; Past, Present and Future

Branding:

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association – How to Read a Brand

New Mexico Livestock Board – How to Read a Brand

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Freeze Branding

Lip Tattoos:

Thoroughbred Info on Lip Tattoo Identification

National Pet ID Week – Equine Style This week is National Pet ID Week so this is an excellent opportunity for us to cover horse identification!

[thegreenhorseman]

Mom’s letting me take the reins again! Something about the first Thursday of the month?  Who has time to pay attention to that anyway?

I was supposed to tell you about the torture she made me endure when I had an abscess recently but I’d rather tell you about some fun the boys and I have been having lately.  I also have some exciting things to share that mom did.

When Zeno Bay and Vai Via came to mom’s farm I didn’t know what to make of them.  I had my girl, Happy.  She wasn’t very Happy all the time but she was mine.  Then her people took her away and I was left with…”the guys.”  Zeno didn’t want me around at all.  He was downright mean to me.  But something about the day that Happy left changed his mind.  I galloped for hours whinnying and mourning the departure of my gal.  It was that day that Zeno took me in.

Mom calls us the three amigos.

We’ve now been together four months, we got through autumn and we’re almost out of winter.  Zeno’s been conditioning me to be a leader.  Every now and then he tells me what to do just to assure me he’s really the boss but he enjoys it when I take some of that responsibility.  I’ve never been top dog before.

Zeno Bay and Vai Via have been teaching me how to “horse.”

They wander in the woods!

We make our own paths.

When the ground freezes we don’t get out much but when it snows we stretch our legs. Mom recently sent us up to the hill and we got to really have a great time.  There was snow, it was -7°F, and the land was flatter than the barnyard.  Vai Via and I held our own match race and we all stretched out.  Then Vai and Zeno raced each other.  We all cooled out together.

When we were finished mom took me for a bareback ride.  I enjoy the alone time I get with her.  During the last four months I’ve put on a lot of weight and muscle; more than I’ve had in years!  I feel so big and strong now!

After our walk Zeno begged her for some attention too.  I’m not really a fan of sharing her but I really don’t have much say in the matter.  If anything I can monitor the situation so I followed along on their bareback ride.  All four of us took a walk around.

A little while ago mom gave us a big hay mound.  She calls it a round bale.

When I first saw it I darn near choked on breakfast.

Here it is, this big mass bigger than mom and she’s controlling it.  She has it coming closer to us and I’m like, “hey, this isn’t cool.”  Well it rolls into the paddock and stops moving.  I finish breakfast and then mom has the nerve to invite me over to meet this big moving giant.

Turns out it was food!  Vai Via used it as a bed sometimes too.

Mom said it should last a while.  Something about it being 500 pounds and “theoretically” should last about a week.

It made it five days until mom gave up and gave us new hay.  She shook her head and said “geldings.”  Does she really think we’re going to walk somewhere when we need to pee or poop?  She’s a little crazy if you ask me.  We go where we stand, ma!

Mom also likes to spend a lot of her mornings hanging out with us.  Vai Via ripped a belly strap on his blanket so he got to style his spare.

We also took turns getting scratches and kisses.

Mom takes care of all of us and it’s clear she loves the boys just as much as she loves me.  Although we are all retired and spoiled now we were once racehorses.  I never won a race but Zeno and Vai both did.

Because she loves them she spent time researching inside the big white heated barn she calls “the house.”  After all of her research most photographers told her they didn’t have photos from “that long ago.”  Time passed and she gave up until one photographer emailed her back with good news.

This photographer found a photo of a race they each won in Charles Town!  Mom bought the photos and was given permission to use the finish line photos to share with you.

Zeno Bay won his second race on May 2nd, 2001 on the turf at 4.5 furlongs.  He raced a total of 7 races of which he won twice, placed once, and showed twice.

Vai Via’s fourth win was on January 1st, 2004 at 1 1/16 miles.  In total he ran 47 races of which he won 4 times, placed 6 times, and showed 10 times.

I give her a hard time but I know she loves me, she loves the guys; and I love my mom!

The Blade Chronicles: Winter Frolic and the Glory Days Mom's letting me take the reins again! Something about the first Thursday of the month?  Who has time to pay attention to that anyway?

[thegreenhorseman]

I normally post at 6:30am every Thursday morning and dropped the ball yesterday; but it leads to the question…what works better for my readers? Are there times/days that you are more likely to read?  Let me know in the comments!

January has been quite brutal with weather.  We have been lucky most of the winter so far but the deep freeze has officially hit us here in upstate New York.

On Saturday the 19th we were hit with a good sized snowstorm.  I had just begun pet-sitting for a new family the day prior; a couple of wonderful horses and three sweet young goats.  After the sky dropped 12-16″ on us we were hit with brutal temperatures.  With the windchill we were down to -30°F!  Only three days later (Thursday) we were soaked in a heavy rain with temperatures of nearly 50°F.  The weather in upstate NY never fails to make one scratch their head.

The horses I was caring for have phenomenal coats, high quality hay, and adequate shelter.  They are the perfect examples of good winter coats in action.  The snow was completely unmelted from their backs while the horses were warm and cozy.  They both had the option to come and go from their shelter as they pleased.  Through the whole week they never showed any signs of discomfort from the weather.

Back home the amigos do not have such thick coats.  They were blanketed and supplied with ample hay as always.

What about the water?  Back at the beginning of December I wrote about my winter project The Green Horseman on Another Project: Winter Prep.

The photos below demonstrate what the water looks like at 20°F.  When I refill the water I use the ATV and haul 10 gallons of hot water from my bathtub in old 5 gallon covered buckets.  This brings the water temperature up just enough to prevent freezing.  The tank holds 100 gallons and is often filled to 50-60 gallons; even bringing out only 10 gallons adds 20% and significantly improves the water temperature.  The horses all appreciate it and drink well.

But the -30°F windchill?  How did my trick fare during these days?

This morning I had to put a little muscle into sledgehammering the ice, but it still was no thicker than 1/2″ on top.  I break the ice 2x/day and add at least 10 gallons hot water per day.  Three horses drink more that this but we are expecting rain in less than a week that will fill the tank (our last rainy day the tank overflowed).

If I add all the hot water at once it will freeze over time.  By adding 10 hot gallons every day I keep the temperature mostly above freezing for the long term.  I am quite satisfied with how this trick is working out.

Despite having a decent shelter the amigos love to be outside.  They enjoy running in the snow.  December was cold and the ground froze in ruts which hurt their feet.  With the snow they were able to run around and enjoy a little.

They also make their own decisions to seek shelter during storms.  Fortunately they have grown decent coats (though not nearly as thick as some).  They stayed warm and insulated while growing icicles along their necks.

Because of a friend who inspired me I have also decided to try out round bales.  They are cheaper but generate a lot more wasted hay.  The positive side is that they allow the horses to eat 24/7 at will without having to supply more every day.

I don’t have a tractor with adequate tools to move round bales, but after seeing what my friend was able to do I decided to give it a whirl.  On Monday night my hay guy “Carl” dropped off 2 round bales.  Tuesday morning after work I rolled one out to the paddock.  These bales are 500 pounds.  It was a little tough to roll up inclines but I managed to get it out there.  We are supposed to have a relatively clear (but brutally cold) week free of precipitation so now is the best time to try it.  Blade looked petrified when he saw the giant mass rolling to the paddock.  He stopped eating breakfast and gawked.  When I finally set it in it’s place (or gave up rolling it) he finished his meal and came to investigate.  He quickly learned what a wonderful buffet he received.

Before long the other two boys joined Blade and began to dig in.

I am writing this post Thursday afternoon, only two days after rolling the giant bale to the amigos.  I came home to see Vai Via enjoying it as a bed for an afternoon nap.  Only two days in and the bale looks almost destroyed!  I am still evaluating its longevity to see if it is a cost efficient option during winter months.

Winter In Upstate New York I normally post at 6:30am every Thursday morning and dropped the ball yesterday; but it leads to the question...what works better for my readers?

[thegreenhorseman]

This coming Saturday, May 2nd, will mark 2 years of having horses on the property.

I began working and cleaning stalls to ride when I was ten. Through middle and high school I was a “come and go” equestrian.  I was a devoted barn rat until drama of some kind ensued during which I vanished.  Horses being a forever love of mine, however, would never be out of my world for long.

I worked to ride through college.

After college, I helped out a friend for a couple years.

Horses fell to the wayside while I pursued my career and explored other hobbies.  I ran my first 5k and fell in love with obstacle course races.  I got into and even started teaching kickboxing…it’s how Zac and I met (He was an instructor).  It was during a women’s self-defense course that I was assistant teaching that led me to find Blade.

I was a horse owner.  Finally.  Twenty-six years and I was a horse owner.  A dream.

I also dreamt of owning a property with my horse onsite.  Boarding was amazing and I learned many things about being a good, responsible owner.  Zac and I saved up and in a few years we moved into the house we call home today.

September 2017

April 2018

  May/June 2018

September 2019

Another dream of mine.  Having horses right at home.  There was (and always is) a lot to learn while planning our horse property.  There was no fencing. No pastures. No barn. We did that.

I did research.  We busted our butts.  And on May 2nd, 2018 Blade came home with Happy.

I subscribe to the philosophy that horses are herd animals and NEED social interaction with other horses.  At the time affording two horses was out of the question.  I spent most of my savings on setting the property up and already work 12-hour overnight shits to earn more money.

That being said I do everything I can to provide my animals with a happy enriching life.

Something I find absolutely astounding is that in only TWO years there have been SEVEN horses on this property.  To celebrate two years I want to celebrate the horses that have called this place home.

WARRIORS BLADE: AKA “BLADE��

An obvious choice to begin our celebrations.  Blade was and always will be my heart horse.  When he came home he was a 10-year-old off-track thoroughbred. We did all of this for HIM.  I sacrificed novelty and restful sleep to make sure I was doing right by Blade. In the two years I had him home we developed a closer bond than ever before.  I had him trotting at liberty circles around me in my backyard with no fencing.

Blade was always happy to see me even when he played the “you can’t catch me game.”  We enjoyed bareback rides, grazing the backyard, and simply hanging out together.

PARAMOUNT’s HAPPY APPLAUSE: AKA “HAPPY”

Happy, a then 24 (I think) year old morgan mare just coming back from a suspensory tear.  Happy had spent fall on stall rest and during the winter I had begun helping my trainer begin hand walking which turned into 5 minutes walking bareback, 10 minute walking bareback, 15 minutes, then 20 minutes.  Then we added trotting the straights and soon after cantered the straights (Thank God she’s smooth and bareback riding was easy on her).  By May she was mostly recovered but still not ready to return to the lesson program.

As a way to help my trainer and also myself, I offered to have her at our home to keep Blade company while giving her more time off and exercise.

Happy thrived on the 24/7 turnout and the hill strengthened her throughout the summer.

By the end of summer my trainer missed Happy and wanted to bring her back into the lesson program for the flat riders.  It was a lovely summer having her as part of our family.

VIA VIA: AKA “LITTLE MAN”

I was given a month’s notice that Happy was going to be returning to the lesson barn.  I had a month to figure out how to give Blade a companion without putting myself in a financial hole.

I reached out to several rescues and eventually, my neighbor put me into contact with the rescue that saved Vai Via’s life from Moore’s kill pen in Pennsylvania.

Vai Via was a 20-year-old thoroughbred who found himself close o being shipped to slaughter in early 2018.  He was saved, quarantined, and spent time at a farm in Maryland.

When he arrived he was a nervous soul but very kind.  He had a smaller refined body that was solid and well built.  He loved to run and play…you couldn’t tell him he was in his twenties.

We were his home for a year and in that time I had the joy of learning who he was and earning his trust.   He was a bit nervous under saddle but on the ground, he’d do anything.  We did obstacle courses together and he even allowed me to try archery with him.

Due to the contentious ending between myself and the rescue I was cut off from contact and I am not sure as to what he is up to now. Not knowing that he is safe and happy is the most difficult part of the whole ordeal; as for the people, there is no love lost.

ZENO BAY: AKA “OLD MAN”

Zeno Bay came home with Vai Via as a package deal.  The two were inseparable best buds.  Zeno Bay was also a 20-year old thoroughbred.  They were rescued from Moore’s a week apart and spent their quarantine together.  Zeno Bay also lived with Vai Via in Maryland all summer until they were returned to NY to live with us.

Zeno Bay did not arrive looking as good as he did in photos.  In fact he looked better in the killpen.  While on the farm in Maryland he developed a quarter crack that extended to the coronet band and lost a lot of weight.

In only three months Zeno Bay was back on a healthy road.  He had more minor and easily remedied health issues.  Due to a large belly and ribby look, we opted to administer a Panacur PowerPac to address any worms.  During a wet week he stood in the run-in shed all day and stocked up…hand-walking and cold hosing took care of it.  I noticed he became aggressively itchy and upon investigation found he had lice (not transferrable between species but still gross).  I treated all three horses preventatively (and again two weeks later) and washed their blankets well.  During a frigid week in January, I came out to find Zeno had a swollen sheath (after talking to a few farms it seemed they all had similar issues with at least one or two of their geldings).  Since it seemed to me like edema (and with a phone call with the vet) I hand walked and exercised him daily and the swelling went away.

Aside from these minor issues, Zeno Bay was the most personable horse I have ever met.  He got along well with the other boys but was happy to leave the herd and wanted to be with you and in your pocket. I could do anything with this horse and as long as we were together he was happy.

One day while bareback riding I walked him over to our flagpost to fix the flag…the pole had retracted.  In trying to extend the pole back to normal height it instead came off in my hands.  I used this as an opportunity to train, but Zeno Bay was completely unphased by the waving flag.

Again, since things ended poorly with the rescue I have no contact with Zeno Bay any longer and it breaks my heart.  As far as I know, he has a very loving home and is enjoying his life.  If that home ever found me and reached out I’d be happy to send him my love and a bag of his favorite treats.

R TOMCAT: AKA “TIGER”

As things heated up with the rescue and stipend payments became later and later I knew the time was approaching to say goodbye to my sweet old boys.  I began my search for my second horse.  I made the decision to get a second horse to eliminate the drama of having anyone else’s on the property (I do not offer board).  I wanted a horse that was more sound than Blade the I could take to hunter paces and that I could jump.

A twist of fate connected me with R Tom Cat, a then 6-year old thoroughbred gelding.  His family was looking to place him in a good home.  He had raced a couple times and didn’t do well, so he was re-trained and brought to Kentucky for the Retired Racehorse Project.   He showed promise in the eventing world and his sire, Dance With Ravens, is among the desired sires for the sport.

Tiger came home in September just before Zeno Bay and Vai Via went back to the rescue.  He and Blade had about a week to establish a bond and get to know each other.  Tiger was smitten with Blade instantly.

Life with Tiger wasn’t easy at first.  I had flipped his world upside-down.  From a cushy stall life to 24/7 turnout.  From arena riding to the backyard hacks.  He took to pacing the fence and it drove me nuts.

Over time, however, Tiger has become accustomed to and satisfied with his new life.  He happily eats his hay, lays in the field, or in his bedded run-in shed.  He always comes to greet me and enjoyed being loved on.  He especially loves his face rubs.  He also still loves to work.  Recently we have been given permission to ide the neighbor’s cornfield and that’s his favorite since we have the room to gallop and stretch out.

NAHE

When Blade passed on suddenly in December a friend of mine reached out to me to offer Nahe on a free lease with the option to buy.  Nahe is a large paint (16.1/16.2hh?) gelding she acquired while she led trail rides in Hawaii.  That’s right. Nahe has come 5000 miles.   He’s been in New York for about five years now and grows a perfectly well-adapted winter coat.  He has a giant head and we THINK he’s about 15/16 years old.

Nahe and Tiger became best friends within 5 minutes.  They eat side by side and lay next to each other for their afternoon naptime.

Nahe is another in-your-pocket type and loves to visit with people.  He’s laid back in true Hawaiian fashion.  He makes his time getting around but on the trail is happy to kick it into a higher gear.  Like Tiger, I trust this horse and have many times ridden him in the cornfield bareback with a halter.

He also takes wonderful care of my neighbor who also enjoys spending time with him and giving him extra grooming sessions.  Right now he especially loves it because he is shedding white hairs everywhere!

SADIE

Sadie is our most recent and temporary resident but she is still part of the family regardless.

Sadie belongs to my trainer…another morgan mare.  She is the largest morgan I have ever met standing at 16/16.1 hands.  She has a thick cresty neck and her ribs are quite squishy but her whole presence is simply stunning.  Watching her move brings a sense of royalty.

Sadie went immediately into intense work.  I round penned her daily.  I also added in lunging on a line.  After that, I added in trot poles.  Sadie is a high energy girl and I have to be in the right frame of mind to help her find a sense of calmness and ease.  She carries a lot of tension so working with her requires me to be calm, quiet, and patient.  She thrives on praise and LOVES to hear she’s a good girl.  Sadie also loves to cuddle.  Being groomed and having her face rubbed is her favorite.

In only a few weeks she seems at ease but I am still working on getting on her.  To be honest I am quite nervous and I’m making it slow.  So far I have saddled and ridden her for I’ve minutes in a bitless bridle at a walk.  When she starts to get fussy I look for something she knows and does well, parties her, and get off.  I plan to build from there if the rain will ever let up.

 SEVEN HORSES in only two years.  Our property has seen a lot but we’ve done a lot of good.  All seven of these horses have thrived here and all enjoy people.  They enjoy being around people and they have had a good life here.  I am always working to improve our home and quality of care but I am satisfied with what we have done so far.

  Horses of The Green Horseman Family This coming Saturday, May 2nd, will mark 2 years of having horses on the property. I began working and cleaning stalls to ride when I was ten.

[thegreenhorseman]

So much has happened since December that I haven’t had a chance to properly recap 2019 and lay out the plans for 2020.

At the beginning of January 2019 I was taking a hiatus from riding.  I had Blade, Zeno Bay, and Vai Via. I was in a great routine of spin class with my mom.

I also did a week of farm sitting for a new friend who became a weekly trail riding buddy this summer.

I brought my grandma to see the retired thoroughbreds of Old Friends at Cabin Creek

More about our trip: Taking Grandma to See the Horses

I rode along with one of my best friends and saw what a day in the life of a farrier was like.

Read the interview here: Interview With a Farrier

Read about our day here: A Farrier’s Assistant

By February Zeno Bay was looking and feeling like a totally new horse.  This is a 21-year-old thoroughbred gelding.  I began to foster him with the rescue group in September.  Being on a grain-free diet and outdoors 24/7 we successfully got him to gain a fantastic amount of weight in only 3.5 months.

All about Zeno Bay: Happy Birthday To…

A wonderful group of friends invited me out for cow sorting.

A couple girlfriends and I took a trip to Pennsylvania for the Horse Expo in March!

Adventure Time here: The Blade Chronicles: Mom’s Ignoring Me

We became chicken farmers in March as well!  In two months we raised them on our porch until we finished building the coop.  We designed and built the coop ourselves.

Article when the chicks arrived: New Additions to The Green Horseman’s Clan

Article when the chickens moved outside: The Blade Chronicles: What are Those?

When the weather got better we enclosed the carport to protect the hay better.

I also moved tack out into the tack room of the barn.

More on our projects here: Projects

VaiVia began to show how playful and special he was.  We always knew this but he started to relax and come out of his shell in the springtime.

More about VaiVia: Celebrations This Week and V’s Big Story

I had the honor of interviewing a fabulous young trainer who has been making waves in training wild mustangs.

Read the interview here: From Cheering to Training, An Interview with Samantha VanFleet

Through the spring and summer, I worked on projects and developed a new love for carpentry.

Some of my projects: The Busy Life of the Green Horseman

And Some More: Vacation Means Getting Stuff Done

We did end up hiring someone to help create a fantastic sacrifice area around the barn.  No more flooded stall and hoof-deep clay mud!

I managed to severely sprain my ankle.  I don’t believe it was broken but considering it still bothers me 6 months later I’d wager that something tore.  Despite this I managed to hobble myself all around to hang out with friends.

More on that here: When the World Gets You Down

and here: The Blade Chronicles: Someone Tell Mom She’s Broken

I had the chance to try out cross country for the first time on my trainer’s amazing palomino, Cassian.  I still call him my palomino unicorn.

Cross Country Clinic: An Adventure With My Unicorn

Zac and I had a date at the county fair.  I enjoyed seeing a bunch of horses performing and doing something different than the average horse.

Something special about a county fair: Horses With Different Vocations

Bt the end of summer tensions had risen to a boiling point with the rescue and I began to make plans to find a second permanent horse before sending Zeno Bay and Vai Via back.  I hated to see them go but it was a bad situation only getting worse with the rescue itself.  As difficult as it was for me it was also exciting because I was able to begin looking for a new horse to become our permanent family member.  I saw a lot of really great horses.

All about the search: The Green Horseman’s Latest Quest

COCO

In the middle of my horse shopping, a very special pair rode into town.  Meredith and Apollo from The Centaurride stayed with a friend not far from my home.  Though her path didn’t lead her to stay at our home I had the honor of treating her to a nice warm meal.

About the Centaurride: Centauride.org

Link to the article:

Photo courtesy of Stacia S

Tiger, or R Tom Cat, galloped into our hearts in September.  For a brief period of time, I was the proud home of four bay thoroughbred geldings.

Sunday Special: Announcing My New Horse!

The Blade Chronicles: My New Brother

Tiger’s First Weeks

Fall hunter pace season was underway.  I planned to begin by attending LKTA.  Tiger had thrown a shoe and gotten a hoof bruise.  Instead, we discovered how amazing Blade was!

Read it here: We Hunter Paced; But It Was Not What I Expected

Photos courtesy of Brian Wilcox at www.connecticutphoto.com

In the weeks to follow Tiger participated in two hunter paces.  We had a lot of fun together despite not knowing each other incredibly well.

Read all about it at: Tiger’s Hunter Pace(s)

  Photos courtesy of Brian Wilcox at www.connecticutphoto.com

December had to have been, without exaggeration, the worst month of my entire life.  I didn’t write about it all but in a brief summary:

The worst pain:

Maybe TMI for some of you but I had an IUD (intra-uterine device) inserted.  I’ve never had children.  The process had to have been one of the most intense pains I’ve had to experience.  I have been bitten, kicked, trampled, broken bones.  It didn’t compare.  I was in shock; shaking, sweating, and nauseous for hours.  It took days for the pain to fully subside.  Bardi and Kain both comforted me while I recouped.

Broken EVERYTHING:

Our ATV wouldn’t start.  We bought it new and we simply couldn’t get it to turn over.

The dump cart I used for mucking the paddock and hauling out bales of hay or water bit the dust.  The welds wore out and the sliding door was bent out of shape.

Our ShelterLogic collapsed, taking with it a corral panel….both were completely bent in half.

Lucky To Be Alive:

One weekend Zac and I ventured to the store…roughly eight minutes away from our home.  We wanted to beat the incoming storm.  We were on our way home and the snow had begun but was a light dusting.  We played it safe and drove slow.  Approaching an intersection slowly (yet downhill) we failed to stop….we slid through, across the street and into a ditch.  We came within 2 feet of a telephone pole and miraculously no cars were approaching the intersection at the time.  Somehow we managed to pull forward and into a person’s driveway to get out.  At the next intersection, about 500 feet later, we learned that in our road departure the brake lines were severed.  Zac had to use the emergency brake to stop the car from rolling into a much busier road.  We made it home safely and had the car towed but we are very lucky.

Food poisoning:

We have been enjoying HelloFresh and I had been planning to write all about the amazing meals we’ve been cooking together as a couple.  Unfortunately one of the meals we made was no good.  We suspect the chicken was bad.  We had a very rough couple of days…BOTH of us were sick to our stomachs!  Thank goodness for two bathrooms.

This is food from Hello Fresh but NOT the meal that made us sick.

Heartbreak

Blade broke his leg catastrophically while playing in the upper field. What was a joyful afternoon full of love and happiness ended with an indescribable loss.  Friends, family, and neighbors all cried.  Tiger mourned.

The Blue Horseman

Tiger’s Tale

I lost my best friend in December, but not before enjoying him charge through the fresh knee-deep snow.   Blade and Tiger played joyfully together often before his death.

The Friends’ Final Frolics

Tiger has been healing well with the arrival of his new friend, Nahe.

And I am beginning the year with some amazing new swag thanks to Cheshire Horse and my loved ones!

The Silver Lining

NOW IT IS 2020

What’s next?

Most of what I accomplished last year came on a whim.  I didn’t have plans for it all and I can’t really say what exactly is to come for the year.

I plan to continue building jumps.

Continue hunter pacing.

I am hoping to ride at Equine Affaire and/or in a clinic.

Really focus on my weight because I deserve it and so does Tiger

Decide on what’s next for the family; Tiger will need a permanent sibling.

  WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE GREEN HORSEMAN

Since I’m getting to this recap and forecast a couple weeks late you may have already noticed something new on the site.

Introducing The Sunday Review.

EVERY OTHER SUNDAY I will be publishing a new review of a product I have purchased and used.  The review will populate in your regular feed but you can reach it through the menu up ^^top^^.

The first review of the year began with The Sunday Review – CAVALI CLUB SPECIAL.  The second review is scheduled for THIS COMING SUNDAY 01/19/2020.

So to look again at The Green Horseman’s weekly schedule!

SUNDAY

The Sunday Review

Every other Sunday

MONDAY

Fun Videos

Catch it on The GH Facebook page

You can also find the FB page to the right——>

TUESDAY

Take The Reins Tuesday

Also found only on The GH Facebook page

Features good reads from other blogs and websites

WEDNESDAY

Wordless Wednesday

A photo I have taken.  Sometimes the photo has a quote but otherwise, there are no words.

FRIDAY

Farm Friends Friday

Also found only on the GH Facebook page

Features a slideshow, a video, or some photos taken from the Green Horseman’s farm (or life in general).

SATURDAY

Nothing scheduled for Saturdays at this time

So stay tuned and buckle in.  Visit often and drop some comments.

  As always…THANK YOU SO MUCH for visiting, commenting, sharing, and your overall love and support.

  Past, Present, and Future So much has happened since December that I haven't had a chance to properly recap 2019 and lay out the plans for 2020.

[thegreenhorseman]

Blade Chronicles: Springtime Exercise

Blade Chronicles: Springtime Exercise

Today marks the one year anniversary of my being home with mom.  One year ago today Happy and I set foot on the property.  One year ago mom made the leap toward having a horse property.  Now I get to see her every day, multiple times per day.  Sometimes I don’t really think I like that idea, particularly if there is a halter in her hand, but most days I love seeing her.  Although Happy has moved…

[thegreenhorseman]

I know it’s the day you’re all waiting for.  It’s MEEEE Blade!

I turned 11 years old (officially) on Tuesday, April 2nd.

Mom had to work but made sure to give me a few extra pats and love.

When mom came home from work Tuesday morning she wished me a happy birthday and spent some time with us.  We gave her a lot of wacky photos and then she went inside to sleep for a while.

When she woke up she came out bearing doughnuts and fruit salad!  The fruit salad consisted of canned peaches, canned mango, apples, and carrots.  The doughnuts were powdered (the best), apple cider (pretty good), and apple pie filled (not a fan).  The three of us shared everything, but none of us really liked the apple pie doughnut so we allowed mom to have a bite.  Bardi was picking up all the dropped pieces too so everyone got some of the action.  It was a total birthday party!

Sadly mom had to go to work so the party ended and she left us for the night.

The day after (yesterday) mom did something different and “tied” us to the ATV.

In reality she took a bale of hay in a hay net, tied it to the ATV with baling twine, and put out lead ropes loosely through some baling twine so we weren’t REALLY tied.  Mom wanted to test us and see if we could all stand together and munch while she doted on us.

The three of us stood around eating hay in the morning sun while we had a spa day…and YES we “tie” very well together.

Mom gave us a full work-up.  Dirt removal through several rounds of curry and brushing, de-shedding, and even some really nice detangler for our manes and tails.

We were the best smelling set of pregnant geldings this land has ever seen.

Just as mom was finishing up our grooming session our farrier came by to give us pedicures.  I was feeling generous so I decided not to cooperate and not to poop on him this time.

I know it’s usually the moms and ladies that get pampered and fluffed but I think I discovered their secret.  I FEEL SEXY!

Last week the weather was beautiful, too.  We all enjoyed some warm sunny days and we REALLY enjoy rolling in the mud.

Mom had a hard time sleeping but came out to see us Thursday afternoon.  She took Zeno Bay out first and groomed him, picked his feet, then took him for a bareback ride around the house, up the hill and through the woods.

Well if he can do it I most certainly can too!  I told mom, “Hey let’s go” so she took me out and we went around the house, up the hill and through the woods.  I only spooked twice, and just a little bit.

VaiVia saw that we both had a nice brushing and a ride and he decided he wanted to be part of the fun.  Normally mom brushes him and puts him away because he’s so nervous.  She’s gotten on him bareback a few times and every time he throws his head in the air and trots around nervously.  Anytime she puts leg on him he gets upset.  Anytime she applies pressure to the reins (usually just a halter with clip-on reins) he gets upset.  She typically stays on him for about five minutes until he lowers his head and simmers down; then gets off to show him riding isn’t a bad thing.

I could tell mom was ready to go back inside when we were finished but she took one look at VaiVia and it was almost like she heard him tell her he was ready.

She took “Little Man” out wearing his fancy new cob halter and he stood calmly to be brushed while nibbling on  hay….why didn’t “old man” or I think of that?

When she was done brushing him she looked at him and again, it was like she heard him tell her he was ready.  Instead of putting him back she put the lead rope around his neck and got on.

Little Man didn’t bolt.  He didn’t trot forward.  He raised his head a bit but lowered it after a couple of minutes.  She let him visit with us over the gate, offered him some more hay, then walked around the house.  He came back toward us looking even more confident then when he left us.  They went up the hill (and of course we followed in our paddock).  She took him through the woods just like she did with us.  He loved it!  She had him walk carefully and steadily back down the hill and then asked him to trek through the mud.  Zeno and I did it too but she really had to encourage us; he just did it.

I saw the look in mom’s eye right then.  She had an idea pop up in her crazy human brain.  She directed poor VaiVia right toward the stream.  Zeno and I are too smart for that we both refused to cross the wet babble monster.  Poor VaiVia crossed it without any hesitation.  I guess it seemed everything went OK because mom got really happy and they came back unscathed.  Probably just barely though.  I don’t think they realize how close to death they were.  I’m pretty sure he got more treats than I did.

The Blade Chronicles: My Birthday I know it's the day you're all waiting for.  It's MEEEE Blade! I turned 11 years old (officially) on Tuesday, April 2nd.

[thegreenhorseman]

February is a major month at my farm, and for Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation these days.

February 13th: Zeno Bay was saved from Moore’s Killpen.

February 20th: Vai Via was saved from Moore’s Killpen.

February 21st: Someone celebrates a birthday!

Our very own Zeno Bay is celebrating 21 years of life today, a birthday he might not have seen if it weren’t for the generosity of the donors to Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation.

I cannot account for this horse for his first twenty years but I can try to fill in the blanks.

According to Equibase Zeno Bay was born to Muirfield Ventures in Maryland on February 21st, 1998.  He was bred by Citidancer out of Guibilante (New to the horse terms?  “By” refers to the father, or sire,  and “out of” refers to the mother, or dam).

All of my research on Muirfield Ventures leads me to Muirfield Farm (in MD)  which was sold in 1999.  My guess (all I have to go on) is that this farm sold and liquidated through Muirfield Ventures.  He would have been a yearling at this point if still on premises during the sale.

His first owner appears as Jean B Morris (trainer Earl Begley) on the schedule for his first race, a cloudy Friday April 4, 2001 at Charles Town, West Virginia.  Then three year old Zeno Bay placed 3rd after a quick, dirty, 4.5 furlongs.

A month later Zeno ran his second race and broke his maiden.   Wednesday was another cloudy day at Charles Town and Zeno ate those 4.5 furlongs, pulling even farther ahead in the home stretch.

Zeno Bay ran his third and forth races coming in 3rd and 2nd, respectively.  He won his fifth race at Pimlico (Baltimore, MD) on the clear Saturday of July 7, 2001.  This track was 6 furlongs this time and it was this race that he had changed hands to Oswald H. Redman (trainer Jeff Runco).  He was claimed for $6500.

This was the last time Zeno Bay ran in the money.  For the first 5 races he placed in the money (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) but he struck out in 7th in his final two races.

In the first race since changing owners he was claimed yet again only two weeks later back at Charles Town Saturday July 21, 2001.  He only came in 7th but he was purchased for $7500 by James W. Shawyer (trainer Thomas E Mazerski).  His career ended August 4th with another 7th place run.  These are his last known traceable details.

Photo courtesy of Trish Bode

I can tell you he has poor feet, dental issues, arthritis, and a bowed tendon.  His circulatory system appears to be compromised, but I am no vet.

I cannot talk to what happened during or after his career at the track and I have only shared with you information that is readily available through a simple Google search.  I have been unsuccessful finding any details about the people and I will not criticize them without knowing the whole story.  They very well could have meant well and are completely clueless as to how Zeno Bay found himself next in line for slaughter last year.

From 2001 to 2018 spans seventeen years.  Zeno Bay had lived somewhere, been something, for SEVENTEEN YEARS.  Where?  Who knows.

I have ridden the handsome fellow and he is bombproof, I have yet to see him spook at anything.  He takes a lot of leg and encouragement so I carry a crop, but he is also very willing.  His gaits are extremely comfortable and his canter is a dream.  He knows how to carry himself and set his head and doesn’t require a heavy hand, but he’s not fussy at all either.

This leads me to wonder if he had been a lesson horse.  He rides like one, and he would have been a lovely hunter horse for children’s shows.  I wonder if children grew up with this horse.  I wonder what they would think if they found out about his fate.

Zeno Bay upon redemption from Moore’s killpen 02/16/2018

Unbridled found Zeno Bay in Moore’s killpen slightly more than a year ago.  Waiting among others to be hauled from Pennsylvania to Canada and killed for meat.  The angels of Unbridled rallied and bought him another chance at life.

He was redeemed February 13th, 2018.  After quarantine he went to live at Breezy Hills in Maryland.  Here, in the “care” of Breezy Hills his condition degraded immensely. He was emaciated, loaded with parasites, had dental issues, and had a quarter crack in his hoof to the coronet band.  Killpens hold horses in order to feed them and put weight on the before shipping for meat.  Zeno Bay had a better body score at the killpen than he did when I first met him in September 2018.  I visited him only days after his return to New York where Susan dewormed him, got him the dental care he needed, and provided ample hay and water.  Within a week he was in my care at home, and had already gained weight during the week he was in New York.

10/18/2018

11/16/2018

02/20/2019

  Since then Zeno Bay has blossomed.  He enjoys my company and leaves the other two boys to be with me.  If I take Blade out to have one on one time Zeno is there waiting at the gate for our return as if to say “my turn.”  He’s not waiting for Blade, he ignores Blade when we return.  It’s his person he waits for.  He’s always curious and wants to know about me and what I’m up to.  He often musses up my hair or tries to share his breakfast which he drops all over the place.  He tells me where his itchy spots are.  Some days I go out on the ATV, kill the engine, and just sit quietly with the boys.  Zeno Bay is always the first to come and position himself right where he wants to be touched.  Sometimes it’s his cheek, sometimes his neck, and he definitely loves a good chest rub.    He smiles from the depths of his big lovable heart.

I’ve been slowly putting weight on him, feeding an aged horse that was already thin and in lesser health during the winter is a struggle.  I have been addressing many of his issues and he keeps me on my toes.  We have de-wormed him with a Powerpack.  I have addressed his legs stocking up during a rainstorm when he didn’t get enough movement.  I exercised him (walked) in the frigid temperatures of January after his sheath had become swollen and painful from edema; I also suspect this is from not enough movement as it happened during a snow storm and he didn’t move around much.  I have been constantly addressing a stubborn case of thrush and white line in his feet (not to mention the issues in my own horse’s feet).  I have also successfully rid him of lice (EWW).  These scenarios are why I, a non-medical professional, might suspect cardiac/circulation issues.  Either way he is loved and cared for.

Today he is officially 21 years old! He is doing very well and living his best life thanks to Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation.

If you’d like to make a donation to Unbridled in honor of Zeno Bay, please visit https://www.paypal.me/UnbridledTBF

https://www.facebook.com/UnbridledThoroughbredFoundation/

Happy Birthday To… February is a major month at my farm, and for Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation these days. February 13th: Zeno Bay was saved from Moore's Killpen.

[thegreenhorseman]

Blanketing is a hugely talked about topic. Go to any chat room or Facebook horse group and you’re bound to find multiple threads on the subject.

“Should I blanket my horse?”

“What temperature to blanket my horse?”

“What do you all do for blanketing?”

By now I hope you’ve read I’m Cold Therefore My Horse is Cold (It was a while ago since I got distracted) so you’ll know that my opinion is quite minimalist on blanketing.  When Blade had a stall he was blanketed regularly under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  He had a warm barn to return to at night and didn’t grow much coat.  Now that I have him home and living outside I forced him to adapt.  He isn’t ridden often so I don’t need to worry about him sweating/drying.

Horses that work hard all year may need to be clipped to help them cool out and stay dry during exercise.  In those cases they definitely need blankets.

As the weather grew colder I pay close attention to him.  If he shivers or if it rains I blanket.  So far I have not seen him shiver;  As we approach mid-January I reach my own comfort threshold before he begins to shiver.  My personal threshold and mental capacity usually strikes once the temperature falls below 20°F. For the first time since I’ve owned him I can say he has a nice thick winter coat.

I have three thoroughbreds living with me and two are coming 21 years old.  All of the amigos each have a sheet and a medium weight blanket (and of course I have backup too).  The sheet comes out with cool precipitous weather or when the winds pick up.  The blankets come out when I reach my own comfort threshold (as before usually it strikes below 20°F).  By this point the horses are not shivering yet but they dive eagerly into the blankets (I keep the chest piece attached and put the blankets over their heads, surprisingly easy to teach even my neurotic horse.

In reality a properly grown out winter coat was its own moisture wicking properties.  It allows the horse to breathe while trapping in heat and can also keep moisture out.  Earlier this winter I came home to a surprise snow storm.  It wasn’t terribly cold out and the forecast called for decent temperatures.  The horses were naked.  Did I panic and freak out?

No.

We weren’t dealing with a downpour.  Just a few flurries.  The photo above of Blade eating was taken that very day.  As the sun came up more I was able to get some decent photos of how the coat works.  VaiVia and Zeno Bay both made excellent models as they slurped down their breakfast.  Below you will see how the flurries collected on the coat.  In response the outer hairs form a moisture shield.

Like us horses secrete oils from the skin (epidermis).  These oils are picked up by the fur.  As you may know from looking at your Italian Dressing bottle oil and water do not mix.  Oil is what us chemists call hydrophobic.  Think about oil being “afraid” (phobic) of water (hydro). On the other hand, water and fluids that mix with water is called hydrophilic.  The oils coating the hair repel water creating a barrier that keeps the horses dry.  The two photos below show a closer view of the winter coat in action.  In the second photo I take a small section of coat and pull it back just enough so you can see the dry hair and skin beneath.

If I had blanketed the amigos early this winter they may not have grown enough coat.  If I had brushed away their oils they may not have replenished them in time for the snowfall to keep them dry and warm.  I brush them when they need it but in winter I find myself brushing less often.  Instead they get even more love and kisses!

If the weather was colder and the flurries kept falling the horses still would have been alright.  The water would have frozen, still keeping that undercoat and skin dry.  From there snow would accumulate on the back of the horses.  So if you see horses covered with unmelted snow you can rest assured knowing they are just fine!

If you listen horses will tell you whether or not they want their blankets.  Mine tell me by showing interest in the blanket when it comes out.  I have taken them out and they put up with me but they weren’t as eager to get bundled up; usually this occurs when the weather is mild but I know a storm is coming.  VaiVia often walks away from me when he isn’t ready for it (but he gives up easily at least).  Other times when the winds are chilly they come towards me and lower their heads into the blanket.

Regardless of whether you blanket or not it’s always a good idea to have one handy “just in case”.  Your horse may become ill, severe weather may hit, other possibilities.

So how exactly do you figure out what to get?

You can’t just drive your horse to JC Penny, choose a couple outfits, and hit the dressing room.  So how do you know what size you need?  Are all sizes created equal?  What brands work best?  What weight should you get?

Stay tuned for the tips and tricks on how to fit a horse to the right blanket and more…

Blanket Statement Blanketing is a hugely talked about topic. Go to any chat room or Facebook horse group and you're bound to find multiple threads on the subject.

[thegreenhorseman]

The company I work for manufactures microprocessors in the semiconductor industry.  Because of the high demands and nature of our business the plant never shuts down, not even for holidays.  If the holiday falls on your regular schedule you are expected to report in unless you take vacation time.

Christmas is no exception.  This year, as with last, I worked both Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  Unfortunately that meant that I wasn’t able to visit my family and Zac was away at his mom’s.  Christmas outside of work was spent loving on Bardi, Kain, Miss, Blade, Zeno, and Vai. 

I still enjoy being festive, however, so we all wore ugly sweaters to work.  I broke out a medicine bottle and rigged my hair to emulate Cindy Lou Hoo from The Grinch.

Getting home Christmas morning to be greeted by my lovely fur kids was a wonderful Christmas.  Happy healthy animals!

Bardi, Kain, and Miss all enjoyed some shredded chicken with their food.

Warrior’s Blade, Vai Via, and Zeno Bay all enjoyed an extra serving of beet pulp/alfalfa mash and some carrots with their evening supper.  Blade and Zeno also greedily gobbled some peppermint candy canes while Vai Via snubbed his nose at them.  Instead, to make him feel loved, he was given some Stabul Nuggets that he enjoys.

The horses didn’t really know what to make of the Cindy Lou Hoo getup.  Serving breakfast they really didn’t want to get too close to me.  I managed to get Blade to take some selfies but as you might tell he’s not too into it.

Vai Via and Blade cantered around the paddock a little bit before heading up to hill to a less muddy area.  They enjoyed the sunny Christmas day and when I woke mid-afternoon I looked out the window to see Vai Via enjoying an afternoon nap in a big pile of hay.

After breakfast I came back inside to get shower and get ready for bed.  After my hair being up for nearly fourteen hours (twelve hour shifts, hour commute each way, plus feeding the horses) my hair took to resembling a cockatoo.

If you celebrate, I hope it was a most wonderful time.  What are some traditions that you get to enjoy on Christmas? Do you get to see friends and family?

Merry Christmas! 

Only one more post until the New Year so please check back Monday December 31st for this year’s final post.  Also, I am planning The Green Horseman for next year and I want to make it even better.  I have a semi-reliable computer now so I’m hoping I will be more consistent.

Will you help me by taking some time out to tell me what you liked (or or didn’t like) this year?

Want to see more educational posts? I’ve been toying with a few new ideas…

Occasional posts from the boy Blade himself, product reviews, interviews.

To make it easier for you I’ve included the contact form right here, or you can comment!

As always, THANK YOU for stopping by and THANK YOU for being the most vital part of The Green Horseman!

[contact-form]

Merry Christmas! The company I work for manufactures microprocessors in the semiconductor industry.  Because of the high demands and nature of our business the plant never shuts down, not even for holidays. 

[thegreenhorseman]

Zeno Bay and Vai Via have been with me over 12 weeks now.  They have received their second farrier trim.  Our last farrier visit was a couple of weeks ago by now.  Unfortunately these boys weren’t receiving the best quality care at their last location.  For whatever reason the lack of nutrition and care had left a mark on Zeno Bay.  Zeno Bay arrived quite thin, a distended abdomen, and a large hoof crack that extended up to the coronary band.

At my home they are offered hay 24/7 and I have been feeding them twice per day.  He’s gained a good amount of weight.  Because of the distended belly we also treated him with a Pancur Powerpac.  This is a wormer designed to treat a number of parasites particularly strongyles and encysted strongyles.  The dosage is double the normal wormer and it is administered daily for five days.  I began treating the two boys just before morning feed, as the treatment works better on an empty stomach.

After the powerpac was finished I noticed a much faster improvement in Zeno Bay’s weight and shape.  Today he has gained some life and personality.  He has gained confidence and there’s a twinkle in his eye.

The care I put into the horses’ nutrition is paying dividends to restoring Zeno. Yes, he has gained weight, but his hooves are showing the story as well.  The image below to the left was taken at week 2 at our first farrier’s trim.  On the right is 6 weeks later at our most recent farrier trim.

I began to work Zeno, starting with three consecutive days of groundwork.  On the third day I also put a saddle on him and rode him for about 15 minutes.  Riding with his halter, his ears perked and he moved out comfortably and happily.  We walked, trotted, and even did a few strides of canter.  He was so happy!

I am so excited about his progress, and I am watching him transform right in front of me.  I’d like to see more improvement but these photos prove we’rein the right direction.

VaiVia has been a different character.  Though of a great shape he seems to have back soreness and he is very anxious.  He doesn’t like to be separated and he’s quite shy at random moments.  I fear he must have had quite a rough lifetime.

Do to the weather and time constraints I chose to work Zeno Bay more than VaiVia, but last week I began with V.  At the very least I want to get him more confident in himself, and to do that I am desensitizing and doing a lot of groundwork.  Doing groundwork and having him use his mind and body will go a long way to gain his self confidence and make him less anxious.  This is great since I need more time to figure out his back issues…when you run your fingers along the sides of the spine he has a very strong reaction, especially in the withers.  It can’t be debilitating since he is sound and runs freely and often when they play in the pasture.  After a session of groundwork I follow up with some massage and myofascial release.  He is improving.

Earlier this year Blade had a lot of issues (Putting the Vitals to Use to start).  Annoying bugs, choke, colic, ulcers.  He lost a considerable amount of weight and I had to keep telling myself to be patient.  That nutrition takes time to show.  I changed his diet drastically over a 4-6 weeks, but the stress of moving and new routines was enough to make him drop the weight.  Getting the pounds back on would take time and I was beginning to worry I had made the wrong choices. I began to see evidence of positive results in September, he had put on a bit of weight but I wasn’t happy with it.  In fall Blade began growing his winter coat.  The coat was nice and black as it should be.  Within two months it was clear my diet changes were finally showing their benefits!  Blade is now quite plump, more plump than he has ever been (with me at least), and he has great muscle tone.  The “hunter’s bump” on the croup is finally level since his hind end has filled in.  HE HAS A TOP-LINE!

Blade’s new shape I would actually say is nearing overweight (seriously I have trouble putting on a 52″ double elastic shoulder relief girth), but with winter here I am very happy with it.  He’s sound, comfortable, happy, and that’s what matters.

Fat-boy Blade

The winter is fast approaching, we’ve had some premature frigid days.  The horses  have trouble traversing the muddy frozen ruts. On one forty degree day following a week of single digit temperatures I turned the horses out in the upper paddock.  The ground was soft again and the boys were grateful.  All three tore off in the 16 foot wide lane up the hill reliving their racing days in an uphill sprint…a field of three.  I watched laughing at their demonstration of pure bliss.  In  few short moments they were on the top of the hill; three butts and six hind legs went airborne as they rejoiced in merriment. For ten more minutes they ran back and forth around the field, taking turns chasing and leading.  Once the real cold icy weather hits it may be a while before they can do this type of frolic again.

With winter nipping at my heels I have been making some improvements around the barnyard.  Come visit next week to see the next project The Green Horseman has undertaken.  Until then, I’d love to hear from you!

  Are you facing winter like me and how do you cope?

Update On The Three Amigos Zeno Bay and Vai Via have been with me over 12 weeks now.  They have received their second farrier trim. 

[thegreenhorseman]

Well, we have officially lost our game of “how long can we wait before turning on the heat.”  We made it to 48 degrees and finally decided it was time.  Let the money hemorrhaging of winter heating commence.

Despite the quickly dropping temperatures we were blessed with a few lovely days last week.  Friday afternoon I walked up the hill to visit with the boys.  While Zeno Bay and Vai Via were happily munching Blade had made his hay pile into a bed for sunbathing.  He allowed me to walk up and sit down with him.  We had been sitting together quietly for a few minutes when Blade laid back for a roll to show just how relaxed he was.

  When he decided to get up I started my way back toward the house; he followed along at my heels.  I had free time so…why not ride?

As I tacked up the wind began to pick up.  The cool gusts tickled Blade’s excitement sensors as his ears perked and eyes darted around looking for anything to get fancy about.  The tall grass in our garden seemed to be quite “scary.”

I couldn’t tell whether it was the wind or the saddle fit but we had a wretched ride.  Asking for collection was a task, and if I wanted to go straight?

Fuh-get-a-bout-it.

The saddle left even sweat marks but I’m not convinced his attitude was entirely “brattiness.”  When money allows I have plans for a proper saddle fit.

This makes me want to take a moment to really draw attention to his progress and celebrate a victory that’s been proving to be no easy task.

Earlier this year Blade was in great shape.  His weight was great but has lacked a really great top-line for years.  Bareback riding was always tough on my tailbone, I could typically only ride for 20 minutes in a bareback pad before my bum really hurt.  During the summer he lost a good amount of weight as he adjusted to life at home and the new grain-free diet.  This summer I felt like I was doing everything wrong.  He choked, colicked, sun faded, dropped weight, had ulcers.

I kept telling myself to be patient as dietary changes take time to show.

Lately as I observe him I can tell you his spine doesn’t protrude.  He has a better top-line than he has had since I’ve owned him.  His weight is finally where I want it.  I continue to work toward improving his muscle tone but can I just say WOW.  He has come a long way.

The next day I bareback rode Vai Via in a halter and he was very good.  Blade looked at me dejected so I took him out as well.  While we rode bareback and in a halter I had to quietly rejoice within myself.  My seat didn’t hurt from his spine.  He collected beautifully.  He was calm, light, balanced, and attentive.  We didn’t ride long but he more than made up for our rough ride the day prior.

He is unrecognizable from the horse that I began riding when I started lessons with my trainer a few years ago.  The new diet combined with our ample hills seems to be doing wonders…finally.

For this reason I just had to share it with you and celebrate our win.  There are good days and there are bad days but the progress I’ve had with this horse just makes me smile.

Celebrate the Wins Well, we have officially lost our game of "how long can we wait before turning on the heat."  We made it to 48 degrees and finally decided it was time. 

[thegreenhorseman]

February 13th began a cloudy day in Jonestown, PA.  Just a typical Tuesday with temperatures in the mid 30s.  On Brian Moore’s property horses stood waiting.

…and waiting.

Waiting on what you ask?

Simple, my dear.

An angel.

If you’re at all familiar with the name Brian Moore you immediately know this is no fairy tale story.

You see, Brian Moore is a very well known name in the horse slaughter industry; a controversial and complex dark world that few people truly know about.  When a horse is deemed unwanted and cannot find a loving home it will often find itself at an auction.  Still unwanted this horse is scooped up by kill-buyers like Moore who bring them to kill pens where they await transportation to slaughter.

These horses were born with a purpose.  Maybe someone’s childhood pony that was outgrown, the horse didn’t meet performance or even appearance standards.  Some horses were “too wild” or “too lame,” “too old” or “too plain.”  One of them might have been your child’s summer camp horse.  Another one was a racehorse.  All of these horses were brought into the world with a purpose.

Somebody took time to breed and raise them.  Trained them. Loved them (hopefully).  But yet they find themselves in the kill pen.  Over 100,000 slaughter-bound horses are trucked across the United States border every year.  Together we can dissect every detail of this dark world and discuss “Why?” or “Why not” but this is not the time.  These are the facts right this moment.

February 13th began like any day but it was a special day for one thoroughbred horse named Zeno Bay.  Angels found him in Brian Moore’s corral and paid for his freedom.  Susan Kayne of Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation and her supporters rescued him from a sure and horrific final ending; blessing him with another chance at life.

One week later Vai Via joined him.  Another bay thoroughbred gelding with angels fighting in his corner.

Throughout this year Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation (UTF) has been showing these two, along with their fellow rescued com-padres, what it’s like to be loved.

In a parallel story Zac and I purchased our home in December and began making preparations to have horses in our backyard by May.  We successfully set up fencing so that Blade and Happy could come live with me.  From Bad News and Good News Squared you might remember that Happy is missed at her home.  That is where our two parallel story-lines intersect.

I was in a conundrum because I cannot afford to keep two horses all on my own.  The farrier and vet expenses are crushing.  My neighbor introduced me to Susan and the story unfolds from here.

After farm visits and some discussion we grew increasingly excited for the future of the two boys.

I work overnights so I woke up Tuesday afternoon.  Bardi had his annual exam and vaccinations.  I left to work my 12 hour overnight shift.  I arrived back home from work around 7am on Wednesday September 19th.  I fed Blade and Happy, picked paddocks, scrubbed water buckets, and loaded some hay nets.

By 8:45am Zeno Bay and Vai Via made their journey from Kinderhook, NY to my home.  They unloaded from the trailer while Blade and Happy eagerly looked on from their paddock.  They had a chance to stiff Blade over the gate and we turned them loose into their own paddock.  Right away the boys trotted around to investigate.  Ears were up, eyes were bright, tails were lifted, gaits were animated, and they were clearly very excited.  The boys each found a spot to roll, and they continued to explore their new home.

This is a situation that helps everyone involved.  The arrangement allows me to keep Blade in a small social group while providing the boys a safe and loving place to call home.  This helps with the stabling and labor costs at UTF.

Once I was satisfied that all horses were happy and relaxed I took a much needed rest.  In the afternoon when I woke I treated everyone to a full body groomdown.  Happy had her favorite shoulder scratches, Blade and his tummy scratches, and I had a chance to get to know Vai Via and Zeno Bay.

From the short time we’ve known each other Vai appears to be the dominant of the two boys.  He loves Zeno and shares well but likes to make a face every now and then to reassure himself that he’s higher on the totem pole.  Vai and I took a good 60 seconds to “introduce ourselves” nose to nose…By that I mean…

When horses first meet one another you will often see them putting their nostrils together.  As one breathes out the other in, and vice versa.  This is a form of greeting and is often believed to be a bonding time.  Vai expressed interest as I was brushing him so we stood in silence for a moment breathing.  I also spent a few moments to introduce him to myofascial release; within seconds he was already responding to the heat of my hands at his poll.

Zeno Bay seems to be the curious guy.  I brought my bucket of brushes to him along with the container of treats.  He proceeded to turn the treats container and get his lips into the opening in a failing but adorable attempt to reach the bottom.  So far he’s much more food motivated than Vai.

It’s just the first day so please stay tuned for more as I get to know these lovely souls.

And, if you want to learn more about Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation you can do so by visiting www.susankayne.com/foundation.html.  If you feel so inclined there are many ways that you can help; even a small gift can make a big impact.

Day 1 for Two… February 13th began a cloudy day in Jonestown, PA.  Just a typical Tuesday with temperatures in the mid 30s.