Tag Archives: Icelandichorses

Buckets and More Buckets

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My day started as it meant to go on mostly with many buckets.

While I fed the others at the top of the field, Haakon was still struggling to walk, so I broke the habit of a lifetime and took his breakfast bucket to him.  I walked him over the stream and then I put his bucket down so he had to eat with his hooves in the running water.

Haakon accepted my idea as doable and proceeded to eat his brekkie while his poorly hoof soaked in the clean cold water.

Later, I went on a dog walk. I was looking for some sheep therapy.

Dahlia immediately came up for a chat.

She is always very inquisitive and I regretted that I hadn’t brought any carrots with me for everyone.

Dahlia’s son, Gussie, is not dissimilar either.  Food is also important to him.

It was so nice to see that they are very happily integrated with the others now, even to the point of going into the shed to be fed if they want to. It only took just over a year!

Lambie had little to say on the matter.

But Maggie came up for a lovely chat.

Later, in the afternoon, just before it got dark, I went down to the field with hot water in a thermos, two buckets and various bits of necessary kit.

Luckily, only the Shetland ponies were close by which meant they wouldn’t try to steal Haakon’s food.  They wouldn’t dare.

If Bibble and Kolka had been closer, it would’ve been a battle. I know that.  I can’t say Haakon is any better but at least he is not worse.  He is getting around the field in his own way. If he decides not to walk much, then it doesn’t matter as there is long grass everywhere and company.  I think, at the moment, I was rather he was outside pottering gently.  He is happier with his friends.

Day from Hell – Vet Called

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My morning started with Tiddles who didn’t want his breakfast. Instead he lay down in front of me and said he would like to die, please. Please, no!

I got him up and he did an enormous sloppy poo, then each one was more watery.  I immediately put him in a stall, gave him a small bucket of soaked sugar beet to tempt and phoned the vet.

While we waited I dosed him up (talked it over with vet first) – Kaolin, probiotic, slippery elm, gut-bind. He was very good and had eaten his bucket.  His stall was awash with many more watery poos.

Then over the hill to feed the others and I noticed Haakon could barely walk.  He was hobbling. So I led him home with the others following.

I phoned the vet again and extended my list, adding Iacs on as well because his eye infection is not responding to treatment.

While we waited for the vet, OH and I soaked Haakon’s hoof to see if that helped.

Tiddles was a bit brighter now, so he rejoined his friends with haynets and, yes, he ate, not very enthusiastically, but he ate.

The big ones were around the house.

I went back to check on Tiddles every minute, secretly.

When I looked again at Haakon’s poorly hoof, I found a deep stone chip embedded at the front.  It left a hole when I eventually prised it out.

His hoof went back into the bucket to draw out any nasties.  At least I now knew why Haakon was hopping lame.

The vet came and, after thoroughly examining Tiddles, said he was much better.

I opened up a bit more of their track.

I left him stuffing his face.

Iacs’ eye – nothing was found so keep going with the ointment.  He may have developed a blocked tear duct.  He was a good boy.

Haakon needs his hoof soaked regularly.  He is on painkillers too and I put them all in the field near the house as it makes it easier for me to treat him.

My last job this afternoon was to give Haakon a bucket of his favourite food, mixed with Bosmerix (boswellia supplement), while soaking his hoof and spraying it with antibiotic spray.  He was such a good boy.  Kolka is furious at all the food and attention he’s getting.

So that was my day. I need a lie down and now I shall worry about Haakon and Tiddles and possibly Iacs.

No Words

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I spent my day spent changing routers so we are now using mobile wifi.  In some ways, we are much better off by having faster internet speeds, but there is a downside too – we have now lost our ability to use Mail (Apple) so no emails.

GIVE ME STRENGTH!

So, I have no words and I feel like taking up smoking again – I gave up in 1993.

(photos from yesterday – taken with the big camera, which I lugged over to the old horses and ponies’ new field.)

      

 

Moved them All

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I decided that no one really needed to be in the “storm field” and I want to save that for when the weather is revolting so the old horses and ponies have access to the best shelter and grass.

So, I moved everyone. First I gave them all their breakfast and then I led Haakon and Kolka, while Iacs followed behind across the hill to Clothie.

And then I took Fivla and Vitamin over. Everyone was very pleased to be in their new field so I am glad I made that decision for them.

Obviously the big shed is ready for when we need it but I don’t want to shove them inside for every bit of bad weather, especially when it has not got that cold yet.

It was interesting that none of them were asking to come inside during our most recent storm and were very happy out and about so I am listening to them and watching. Obviously, if they were struggling outside, it is easy enough to get them in or put a rug on. I am saying all this because the bush telegraph is buzzing about the way I keep my old horses and ponies.

Apparently I should be rugging and/or getting them inside.  Not yet, not if they don’t need it.  They all have a good coverage of fat and a thick coat.  They are built for this and when they start to show that they are not, then obviously I will do something about it.  Now I hope that ends all the speculation that is apparently doing the rounds in Shetland.

Farrier Today

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We had our farrier, Stephen, coming at 10 o’clock this morning so I had everyone up in their paddocks and ready.

Breakfast first, though, obviously.  Priorities.

I told myself that Haakon does not eat like a giraffe.  Well, not very much.

The little ones were desperate to be in with the big ones and for a second I thought it might be a great idea.

And then I remembered it would probably result in all out war and lots of mud churned up so I kept that gate shut.

As none of the oldies eats hay these days, I gave them a good bucket of Fast Fibre hay replacer so their tummies wouldn’t mind that they weren’t grazing while they waited.  The Shetlands got a haynet to share which they weren’t interested in at all – too busy gazing at the others.

Pepper and I waited in the car as it was warm and got us out of the north wind.   She was so happy to see Stephen’s van.

Only four out of ten had their feet done – in winter hooves grow slower apparently.

So we were done by lunchtime which was convenient.  All in all it was a very good morning and no signs of laminitis on anyone – huzzah!  Onwards, ever onwards.