We would really love to get feedback from those of you who read our blog on a regular basis or even just glimpse at our stories now and then! If you battle to comment, check or uncheck the 'keep me signed in' tickbox and see if that does not change things for you - I know I battled to sign in for quite some time and could not even post comments! However, once I sorted out that little tick, nothing could stop me and so I remain signed in plus I can comment and edit to my hearts' content!
So please, write us, provide feedback to us, criticize, make suggestions, anything! But we would REALLY enjoy your feedback!
Spring is in the air and so is Love! Have you seen the birds in your area making out yet? Everything is full of new life and colour and I cannot wait - it's the best time of the year!
Have a Superb Spring Day on the 1st of September, Bloggies!
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Monday, 22 August 2011
Busy Weekends!
So here we are again, approaching the end of August! Unbelievable how time flies when you're having fun! The past weekend, I had the opportunity to stay on Alida's plot as a semi-permanent resident, as they are away until Wednesday. So I have been looking after the kids and the horses and it has been a blast!
On Friday evening the kids spent the night with me because Alida and Hein left bright and early on their roadtrip to KZN. So on Saturday morning, after we woke up, we had some breakfast and then it was off to Dance class (for Annelise), which was a bit of a change for me as I had been going to the riding school on a regular basis for the past two to three months! After dance class we went "home", which truly is a regular paradise for kids when you look at it from an outsider's point of view!
There is a sparklingly bright blue swimmingpool, trampoline, jungle gyms and lots of wide open spaces to run or to ride bikes. Then they have the five wonderful horses on the plot, ranging from pony size for little ones, to the bigger horses, all people friendly and rideable. Bliss in my opinion, which is why I cannot understand how ANY child would want to spend more time indoors watching television or dvd's! Saturday was a gorgeously warm day as well, with winter gradually taking its leave of us! Summer is on its way!
Because Alida was away, her horse riding lessons fell onto me, but I did not have a lot to do as some of the little people cancelled due to illness and other reasons. (Another reason for winter to just rather go away as it is interfering with our activities!) :-) However, we had lots of fun during the few lessons that did happen. Zander, the feisty little redhead who just wants to "go fast" actually rode on his own on Saturday, in the big lunge arena and his concentration was also much approved. Then Okkie, who was really only supposed to be back for lessons in September (he was naughty and punishment was no riding for a month!) tried out his brand new boots for the first time, riding Peanut. Near the end of his lesson as he was starting to try the rising trot, he forgot to squeeze with his knees just as Peanut went over into a light canter and Okkie had a spectacular fall!
I call it a spectacular fall because he came off in slow motion, holding onto her neck and gracefully landing on his feet in the dust. It was understandably frightening to him at the time, so the tears started welling up, but I ran over and congratulated him on the greatness of his first fall and I also informed him that he cantered for the very first time! His tears disappeared and he was all smiles and back onto that horse in a matter of seconds! We ended the lesson in high spirits and he is ready for more action when he returns officially in September to continue his lessons with Alida!
The rest of our Saturday was spent taking Peanut and Butter for a leisurely trot around the arena and outside and then it was time to feed them and bed them down for the night! We had dinner and a bath and relaxed a bit before all the eyes started to droop and we traipsed off to bed.
Sunday was another busy day for us, because it was sunny and warm and just right to spend the day outdoors. The kids however, was allowed to watch one DVD and then it was playtime, soccer time, bike time and even reading time! All done outside in the balmy weather. Late afternoon we had some more fun with the horses and before we knew what was happening, another splendid weekend was over!
I therefore highly recommend sunshine, fresh air and physical activities as a regular occurence as those ingredients make for smiley, happy faces with rosy cheeks!
Enjoy the last bit of winter, welcoming Spring in all its glory!
On Friday evening the kids spent the night with me because Alida and Hein left bright and early on their roadtrip to KZN. So on Saturday morning, after we woke up, we had some breakfast and then it was off to Dance class (for Annelise), which was a bit of a change for me as I had been going to the riding school on a regular basis for the past two to three months! After dance class we went "home", which truly is a regular paradise for kids when you look at it from an outsider's point of view!
There is a sparklingly bright blue swimmingpool, trampoline, jungle gyms and lots of wide open spaces to run or to ride bikes. Then they have the five wonderful horses on the plot, ranging from pony size for little ones, to the bigger horses, all people friendly and rideable. Bliss in my opinion, which is why I cannot understand how ANY child would want to spend more time indoors watching television or dvd's! Saturday was a gorgeously warm day as well, with winter gradually taking its leave of us! Summer is on its way!
Because Alida was away, her horse riding lessons fell onto me, but I did not have a lot to do as some of the little people cancelled due to illness and other reasons. (Another reason for winter to just rather go away as it is interfering with our activities!) :-) However, we had lots of fun during the few lessons that did happen. Zander, the feisty little redhead who just wants to "go fast" actually rode on his own on Saturday, in the big lunge arena and his concentration was also much approved. Then Okkie, who was really only supposed to be back for lessons in September (he was naughty and punishment was no riding for a month!) tried out his brand new boots for the first time, riding Peanut. Near the end of his lesson as he was starting to try the rising trot, he forgot to squeeze with his knees just as Peanut went over into a light canter and Okkie had a spectacular fall!
I call it a spectacular fall because he came off in slow motion, holding onto her neck and gracefully landing on his feet in the dust. It was understandably frightening to him at the time, so the tears started welling up, but I ran over and congratulated him on the greatness of his first fall and I also informed him that he cantered for the very first time! His tears disappeared and he was all smiles and back onto that horse in a matter of seconds! We ended the lesson in high spirits and he is ready for more action when he returns officially in September to continue his lessons with Alida!
The rest of our Saturday was spent taking Peanut and Butter for a leisurely trot around the arena and outside and then it was time to feed them and bed them down for the night! We had dinner and a bath and relaxed a bit before all the eyes started to droop and we traipsed off to bed.
Sunday was another busy day for us, because it was sunny and warm and just right to spend the day outdoors. The kids however, was allowed to watch one DVD and then it was playtime, soccer time, bike time and even reading time! All done outside in the balmy weather. Late afternoon we had some more fun with the horses and before we knew what was happening, another splendid weekend was over!
I therefore highly recommend sunshine, fresh air and physical activities as a regular occurence as those ingredients make for smiley, happy faces with rosy cheeks!
Enjoy the last bit of winter, welcoming Spring in all its glory!
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Colic!!!
This word must surely be the one word that sends any horse owner rushing to their phones to phone the vet, home remedies, boere rate and 11 herbs and spices! If you've ever had a tummy ache and nothing has helped, this is what colic in a horse generally refers to - tummy cramps magnified to 400kgs of horse.
Seeing Peanut go down with colic on monday, after doing so well in the arena on Sunday, was just hearbreaking. Fortunately, with Tuesday being a Public Holiday, I managed to go home early on Monday and had to watch helplessly as Peanut just did not have the will or the energy to get up. Time and again I managed to chase, drag, beg and rock her to her feet. I would walk her around for a bit, then let her rest again, waiting and watching.
The decision was made to call the vet, and another marathon session on the phone ensued. No vets available until the morning. I sat with her until late into the night, feeling helpless as she looked at me with her big eyes. I know that colic can get so bad that the horse would thrash, heart rate would be way up and the horse would often sweat profusely. Peanut showed none of those symptoms, would still graze every now and again and passed manure every time I walked her around, so I assured myself that it wasn't that bad. I wasn't very convincing...
The next morning I called the owner and asked her to again contact a few vets to see if we could get someone out. Sunrise had brought about no change to her condition. She was eating listlessly and taking in no water. She kept looking around at her tummy and seemed very uncomfortable.
Later that Tuesday morning, the vet came and examined her all over, listening to gut sounds and heart rate, taking temperature and giving her a good once over. Impaction colic was the verdict. He also examined her internally. My poor daughter, Annelise, was straight in the line of view of the procedure, and I could not help but laugh as she was turning green at the vet's "unauthorized entry" into Peanut's nether orifices! Peanut was a trooper and although she was not impressed, she tolerated the exam without too much fuss and didn't try to kick the vet when he had his hand up to his bicep up her bum.
After an injection for pain, and sticking a tube up her nostril all the way in through to her stomach and flushing her with water and Epsom salts, she looked considerably brighter. On Wednesday evening we gave her a small quantity of concentrate, soaked with plenty of water and she slurped up every last drop and looked serene and content with life in general.
I think she is over the worst, but it was not an experience I care to repeat anytime soon. I'm glad it's over, but I learned so much in such a short space of time.
Seeing Peanut go down with colic on monday, after doing so well in the arena on Sunday, was just hearbreaking. Fortunately, with Tuesday being a Public Holiday, I managed to go home early on Monday and had to watch helplessly as Peanut just did not have the will or the energy to get up. Time and again I managed to chase, drag, beg and rock her to her feet. I would walk her around for a bit, then let her rest again, waiting and watching.
The decision was made to call the vet, and another marathon session on the phone ensued. No vets available until the morning. I sat with her until late into the night, feeling helpless as she looked at me with her big eyes. I know that colic can get so bad that the horse would thrash, heart rate would be way up and the horse would often sweat profusely. Peanut showed none of those symptoms, would still graze every now and again and passed manure every time I walked her around, so I assured myself that it wasn't that bad. I wasn't very convincing...
The next morning I called the owner and asked her to again contact a few vets to see if we could get someone out. Sunrise had brought about no change to her condition. She was eating listlessly and taking in no water. She kept looking around at her tummy and seemed very uncomfortable.
Later that Tuesday morning, the vet came and examined her all over, listening to gut sounds and heart rate, taking temperature and giving her a good once over. Impaction colic was the verdict. He also examined her internally. My poor daughter, Annelise, was straight in the line of view of the procedure, and I could not help but laugh as she was turning green at the vet's "unauthorized entry" into Peanut's nether orifices! Peanut was a trooper and although she was not impressed, she tolerated the exam without too much fuss and didn't try to kick the vet when he had his hand up to his bicep up her bum.
After an injection for pain, and sticking a tube up her nostril all the way in through to her stomach and flushing her with water and Epsom salts, she looked considerably brighter. On Wednesday evening we gave her a small quantity of concentrate, soaked with plenty of water and she slurped up every last drop and looked serene and content with life in general.
I think she is over the worst, but it was not an experience I care to repeat anytime soon. I'm glad it's over, but I learned so much in such a short space of time.
An update after being quite quiet
So if you have been wondering why Alida and I have not been actively blogging lately, it may be because the animals have been keeping us rather busy!
Alida's friend, Lee-Anne, has started riding Peanut and Butter with regularity and we have been at her side all the way, looking on and cheering, which is what we do! I have to once again reiterate that we love everything that has to do with horses, and it's not just about riding one. We enjoy watching just as much as we enjoy being up there ourselves! And so, this is what has been happening.
On top of this, Peanut, the one gray mare, has had a bout of colic. She was not feeling well a couple of weeks ago and then again, started experiencing pain on Monday, just before Women's Day.
Alida sat up with her all night, she tried home remedies and kept her as comfortable as possible and as quiet as possible. I think Alida will report in more detail on the colic as she was right there, in the thick of things.
On Tuesday, Women's Day, we went out to Alida's riding school, where she gave Fernando some exercise and we watched and cheered as Blanche worked with Big Chester. Now, I feel it prudent to write a few notes on Big Chester, as Alida has written about him, loves him and worked with him extensively. Blanche is half-baiting Big Chester now and regularly joins in when Alida has her Saturday riding lessons. I have been privileged to ride with them on a number of Saturdays, thanks to the generosity of superb friends, allowing me to display my farmstyle riding antics (I have a sneaky suspicion that they enjoy laughing with me in the arena!) and so I have noticed that Big Chester reacted somewhat sluggishly on Saturday mornings.
When we went through on Tuesday however, we met up with a completely different horse. Alida has explained before that Big Chester dislikes sharing the arena with any other horse and this was wholly evident on Tuesday morning. Blanche put him into trot and canter and they made such a pretty picture that Alida and I could not help cheering along! It seemed as if he truly wanted to please her and he was also enjoying himself. Now, bear in mind, Big Chester is not a youngster anymore. Last we heard, he was 27 years old! In horse years, this means that he is more or less considered to be geriatric, however he is strong and gorgeous and so steadfast and impressive.
The bright winters morning at the arena with Fernando, Alida, Blanche and Big Chester put a smile in my heart!
The vet came out on Tuesday as well to treat Peanut and she has since improved a bit, however I suppose she will be taking things easy for a while. We consider Tuesday very successful all in all!
Khalief, my Wolf Hybrid, turned 14 on Sunday. He is another old-timer in dog's years and has been battling a bit lately. I got him some vitamins and supplements, however, for his birthday and I am happy and relieved to report that he, too, is showing a lot more spunk and improvement. Come Summer he will be swimming again to build his disappearing muscle tone.
At this rate and with the abundance of love that these animals in our lives are showered with, they will continue for many, many more golden years at our sides! We receive unconditional trust and love from them, which is why we do what we can for them to keep them healthy and happy and safe!
Alida's friend, Lee-Anne, has started riding Peanut and Butter with regularity and we have been at her side all the way, looking on and cheering, which is what we do! I have to once again reiterate that we love everything that has to do with horses, and it's not just about riding one. We enjoy watching just as much as we enjoy being up there ourselves! And so, this is what has been happening.
On top of this, Peanut, the one gray mare, has had a bout of colic. She was not feeling well a couple of weeks ago and then again, started experiencing pain on Monday, just before Women's Day.
Alida sat up with her all night, she tried home remedies and kept her as comfortable as possible and as quiet as possible. I think Alida will report in more detail on the colic as she was right there, in the thick of things.
On Tuesday, Women's Day, we went out to Alida's riding school, where she gave Fernando some exercise and we watched and cheered as Blanche worked with Big Chester. Now, I feel it prudent to write a few notes on Big Chester, as Alida has written about him, loves him and worked with him extensively. Blanche is half-baiting Big Chester now and regularly joins in when Alida has her Saturday riding lessons. I have been privileged to ride with them on a number of Saturdays, thanks to the generosity of superb friends, allowing me to display my farmstyle riding antics (I have a sneaky suspicion that they enjoy laughing with me in the arena!) and so I have noticed that Big Chester reacted somewhat sluggishly on Saturday mornings.
When we went through on Tuesday however, we met up with a completely different horse. Alida has explained before that Big Chester dislikes sharing the arena with any other horse and this was wholly evident on Tuesday morning. Blanche put him into trot and canter and they made such a pretty picture that Alida and I could not help cheering along! It seemed as if he truly wanted to please her and he was also enjoying himself. Now, bear in mind, Big Chester is not a youngster anymore. Last we heard, he was 27 years old! In horse years, this means that he is more or less considered to be geriatric, however he is strong and gorgeous and so steadfast and impressive.
The bright winters morning at the arena with Fernando, Alida, Blanche and Big Chester put a smile in my heart!
The vet came out on Tuesday as well to treat Peanut and she has since improved a bit, however I suppose she will be taking things easy for a while. We consider Tuesday very successful all in all!
Khalief, my Wolf Hybrid, turned 14 on Sunday. He is another old-timer in dog's years and has been battling a bit lately. I got him some vitamins and supplements, however, for his birthday and I am happy and relieved to report that he, too, is showing a lot more spunk and improvement. Come Summer he will be swimming again to build his disappearing muscle tone.
At this rate and with the abundance of love that these animals in our lives are showered with, they will continue for many, many more golden years at our sides! We receive unconditional trust and love from them, which is why we do what we can for them to keep them healthy and happy and safe!
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Another contribution by Alida
Since the arrival of the 5 ponies/horses on our plot, I’ve been on a rather steep learning curve. At the yard where Fernando is stabled, the horses get fed and cared for without me having to think about it. Boy was I in for a surprise! I had to quickly get up to speed with feedstuffs, farriers, fitters and fff…well, a lot of other things.
Sonia, the owner of the 5, relies on me to keep an eye on her babies. And I take the trust she puts in me very seriously. So weight, condition and temperaments get monitored, are they too fat, are they not fat enough? Are they getting enough energy food to sustain their increased work load and how are they doing on the adjusted feeding regime? If their intake of energy food exceeds their output, it could be dangerous to their young riders. Not enough feed, and they drop weight and their hips stick out something awful. I tell you, it ain’t for the faint hearted.
But I have noticed something remarkable about how memory works. I cannot for the life of me remember on which days my daughter needs to take her hockey kit with her to school, or when my son plays cricket or has to take craft supplies, but I can remember gram for gram how much food, hoof supplement and probiotic each horse has to get on a daily basis! I leave post and newsletters unread for weeks on end, but the mailer from Ecovet, the latest publications and info on African Horsesickness, deworming research and training methods in the UK
I’ve had enough of winter now. I’m sick and tired of being cold, getting up in the dark and freezing my extremities off when I go for a horseride. This past Friday, I was supposed to have a dressage lesson, and CANCELLED – this from a person who has gone riding sick as a dog, almost passing out in the saddle, and not wanting to cancel. But on Friday, it was just too bitterly cold, and neither man nor beast should be out in weather like that. The only advantage is that the flies and the muggies also don’t like the cold.
But hopefully Spring will sprung soon, and we can enjoy long days of summer sunshine once more.
Happy trails everyone.
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