My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
During the time when I was treating Freedom for his multiple abscesses he also developed scratches, which can also be called mud fever or dew poisoning. Scratches appear in the heels and back pastern area — which is probably why it is also called “greasy heel”. It is usually a bacterial infection, caused by Dermatophilus […]
Read MoreSix weeks ago, Freedom blew an abscess out the heel bulb on his right front. Last Thursday, it came back with a vengeance. I had been thrilled that the horses and the barn came through Hurricane Sandy in good shape and when I rode him on Wednesday he felt great. On Thursday morning, the woman […]
Read MoreOn Saturday morning I arrived at the barn with my trailer ready to hunt. I’d been away for work for a few days and was really looking forward to a gallop through Concord. Unfortunately, it was not to be. It appeared that Freedom had abscessed on his right front; it burst out the coronary band […]
Read MoreAs readers of my blog know, Freedom has been barefoot for the past two years. For hunting and riding on rocky trails, hoof boots have provided the necessary cushioning. Last week, though, something went wrong. I had booted Freedom up for a trail ride and he came out feeling great. Unfortunately, it didn’t last. After […]
Read MoreThis winter has been rough on Freedom’s feet. He’s gotten several bruises and blown a couple of abscesses. The culprit? The hard ground. Most winters we’d have a soft layer of snow on the ground. This winter? We’ve alternated between mud and frozen. The mud softens up his feet and the hard ridges in the […]
Read MoreCable ties are one of my favorite things to use at the barn. They are right up there with duct tape and baling twine in their usefulness — need to tie up some electric fence? Fix a halter with a broken snap? Cable ties are perfect! But the absolute best use I’ve found for them […]
Read MoreHere’s a nifty product that people seem to like a lot. It’s a useful way to soak feet and easy to store. It certainly beats trying to get your horse to stand in a bucket! Read the review on Tack Guru.
Read MoreIt’s hard to accept that the Spring hunting season is already half over. Cubbing season never lasts long enough. The first hunt of the season arrived so early that I didn’t feel quite ready. Freedom was still starting out each ride a bit off (from what I think is a pulled muscle) and I didn’t […]
Read More