It's a girl!!!

Phoenix delivered a healthy chestnut filly between 3 and 4 am. this morning all by herself. Jen (the manager at my barn) was awakened by little baby winnies of the newborn. We were on the scene minutes later. Good job Phoenix!
FDT

We have Waxing!!!...

Well Phoenix is finally waxing and dribbling milk and acting restless and funny! All signs! For those of you who don't know, when a mare gets a waxy tip on her udders, It usually means they are 24-48 hours away from delivering. So today I though I'd free lunge her gently for a little exercise and I figured she wouldn't be able to get out of her own way with her huge belly and do you know that little girl was bucking and rolling back around the arena and having a good ol' time. I was like Phoenix! settle down! your gonna make that baby fall out! Of course it didn't and she was fine but, I bet that little foal was in there like "what the heck is going on in here" "is it time?" Anyhoo, I'll keep everyone posted...
FDT

Emily K asked about Navicular Disease or Syndrome

Navicular Disease or Syndrome affects the Navicular Bone and or the soft tissue around it. It degenerates faster than the body can repair and can become rough and painful as the tissue and bone make contact. Some people think it is an affliction of older horses but it is quite common in younger ones. Most common possible causes are Hoof angle and shape, Breed predisposition and genetics, Over exertion over poor or hard footing, Large bodied horse with disproportionately small hooves. A combination of these factors can be contribute to the same result. Proper shoeing or barefoot trimming by a good farrier can make these horses comfortable and sound enough for long term riding. There are also medicines which can help with circulation and inflammation to improve their comfort. They can easily continue being ridden if they are thoughtfully handled and managed and are not so severe in the diagnosis. I have seen some horses have to be retired completely. Things to look for are odd lameness that comes and goes, a "parked out" stance when resting (this is due to them trying to get pressure off their heels which may become sore and contracted). This is when a horse stands with all four feet way spread out in front and behind. Extending a front foot out at rest is another sign. I have seen severe cases where it looks to me like what can only be described as the horse appearing to be walking on broken glass. They just look so painful with each step. They will also appear to not move their shoulder which can make you think they are sore up higher. They will sometimes snap their knees up more when moving. If you watch closely you will notice the toe striking the ground first instead of the heel which can also lead to stumbling and tripping. I have noticed this most commonly in TB's because of horrendous race track shoeing practices of keeping long toes and no heel on the horse and then running them this way(which contributes to all the tendon bows and bucked shins and ankles etc...but that's a whole other can of worms). Quarter horses are also common sufferers because of there consistently small, upright feet and large bodies. In reference to Shyne the free horse in the previous blog, the only thing I could think of with him was, I had also thought of him as having a bit of a "race horse shaped foot". Meaning he grew a lot of toe and very little heel. This is one of the types of hoof conformation which contribute to Navicular Disease. And I did have him xrayed, but it can develop over time and I bought him young. It DOES not mean that every horse who has this shape of hoof is going to get Navicular. The same goes for tiny upright feet. It does mean that they could though and you may want to xray the feet of a horse like this if you are purchasing it. Just for peace of mind and a baseline. If you have a horse like this, you should make sure you're working with a good farrier to keep them sound and comfortable.

Wonderful Horse FREE To an excellent home

I just wanted to put this out. Shyne is being given away to a permanent good home for FREE. He has been diagnosed with navicular and is currently sound with bar shoes. He is a beautiful mover and is suitable for dressage and pleasure and trail. He is a 16.2+ Irish sport horse gelding. I believe he is 9 and I imported him as a four year old. If you are in the New england area or are willing to make the trip, he needs to be placed ASAP! Contact me for more info
FDT

De Ja Vue???

I purchased a 2 old trekehner filly prospect about 15? years ago (the time isn't important). I was going to train her and maybe even breed her. I went about my normal tasks of starting a young horse and all was going fine until about 10 months in, she started getting real fat in her belly. I had the vet out and he said "oh she just has a hay belly" ummm...she was pregnant. Vets don't know everything. Anyway, to make a long story short, she was sold to me bred by mistake??? No one knew. Certainly not the breeder. Fortunately, she had a healthy filly, despite my worry about not caring for her right all that time and training her. This story has so many details that make you know that everything happens for a reason and horses have other plans for you when you innocently buy them. But it would take me pages to tell the story in the detail it deserves. Maybe another blog.
Fast forward to now. 7 months ago, I innocently bought another warmblood cross filly prospect. I have mentioned her before. Phoenix is 3 and I started training her just as I have trained many young horses before her. Everything was going great...Except come about 2 months ago, she started getting really fat in the belly. Everyone was saying" I think your horse is pregnant" and I of course said no "she's just one of those mare's who's built that way" you know big in the belly. I rationalized an explained it away until I couldn't anymore. I contacted the breeder and sent him photos of her, and he confirmed that although this had never happened before, He had another filly with one on the way as well. Accidentally. I know this is not uncommon. I, in fact, know others who have gotten mares with surprises inside. But I ask you and myself "what are the odds of this happening twice???" Will I win the lottery next? I better with another mouth to feed. Now this is not officially confirmed but look at the pics.

Answer to a question of leg protection...

I use leg protection on a case by case basis. If you have concerns about splint bone injury or just don't want to run the risk of cosmetic lumps and bumps on you horses legs than I recommend splint boots. If you have a horse that needs tendon support, I use polo wraps. They do not protect well for hard knocks and concussion though. You may want to go to a sports medicine type boot if you need combined support/concussion protection. I use bell boots in competition with shod horses or horses that bruise their heels. I also use them on horses that pull their front shoes off a lot. I will use a brushing boot on a horse that nicks himself interfering in front or behind but Splints will work just the same. Splint boots are suitable for most protection front and back and don't cost a fortune. I like Eskadron boots for competition but they are expensive. I use a basic fleece lined boot for every day protection when I need it.

A question of leg protection for jumping...

A question for you if you don't mind? Since you're a fellow jumper too. Do you use any kind of leg protection when training for jumping? Boots, wraps, bell boots? It's been at least 12 years since I did much jumping, and I think I just used polo wraps back then. LOL. Was just curious if you use anything? And if so, what? And what brands do you prefer? Thanks so much!