Saturday, August 10, 2019

Hudson's New Bod


My last post documented my woes of putting Hudson on a diet in order to, in short, save her life.  Her heavy weight, which she managed to gain and maintain on a free-choice hay diet (and, eh-hmm, lack of exercise), was linked to lameness, which appeared to be a low-level chronic laminitis.

Unfortunately, this lameness, which she had, off and on, all her life, was becoming worse with age. She got to the point where, even though she has been off pasture completely for more than a year, only eating hay, she still would have flare-ups of acute pain. 

Anyway, she has been on a strict diet of 18 pounds of grass hay a day, fed in slow-feed bags, since March. She also gets one pound of Nutrena Empower Top Line Balancer and an SE/E supplement to make sure she’s getting the vitamins and minerals she needs. 


Would you like to see the before and after shots? Of course you would! Drum roll, please…


Hudson in March

Hudson today. Are those actual ribs I see?
 At the last vet check, the vet rated her a 6 on the Henneke scoring system, which is in the middle group on a scale of 1-9, but still on the heavy side. I dare say that, today, she might rank a neat 5, which is even better.


As for her lameness, it is still there, but much diminished. She walks in the dry lot without limping, and you’ll only see the lameness when she’s making turns. I can’t ride her, but I’m hoping to continue to see improvement here.

I'm happy about these results. Even though Hudson pines for more food, especially grass, she seems overall more comfortable. Unfortunately, her terrible conformation, with her big, front-heavy body (she's half draft) and feet too small for her size, means she's set up for lameness issues. At this point, I'm just aiming at pasture sound and, maybe, good for a few slow laps in the arena.

My vet commented, after seeing Hudson, that many horse owners of overweight horses just can't get themselves to reduce their horse's feed. I definitely understand that. I really didn't want to have to go back to measuring hay and metering it out, being tied to a feeding schedule, and seeing her unhappy (as anyone on a diet understands). But, hey, this is Hudson we're talking about! She's my girl -- my much healthier girl!
 




 
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Friday, March 22, 2019

Big Trouble in Little Hayville


After years of determined effort, my husband and I reached a pretty nice place in the balance between our full-time jobs and horse-keeping. We installed heated auto-waterers (Miraco brand) which is the best nickel I ever spent. Seriously, if you can, install one.  No more frozen buckets, no more hauling water. They improved our winter horse-keeping immensely.

We also added great barn lighting, for those dark winter nights as we chip away, futilely, at frozen manure. We bought a Hay Hut that can accommodate big bales, and I fitted it with a small-hole hockey net, draped over the bale, for slow feeding. Thus, no matter what quirks occurred in our schedule, our horses were fed and watered. Voila!

 
It all came to a crashing halt when my big, and I do mean BIG, mare, Hudson, started showing a disturbing pattern of lameness. It matched the pattern I saw in our mustang, DeCato, may she rest in peace: Grass, even with a grazing muzzle, seemed to bring on the ouchies. Hard, frozen winter ground made the pain even worse. With DeCato, the laminitis became so painful, I ultimately opted for euthanasia (I'll tell you that sad story another time). With Hudson, when her X-rays showed some signs of inflamed laminae, my vet let me know that that weight loss would be key.

Ground Control to Major Hay...
You wouldn't think a horse could get so fat on just hay, but Hudson is talented that way.

So now I’m back to hay bags, three of them for each mare, doled out over the course of a day. Since starting with them a few weeks ago, both Hudson and Starlight have lost weight. Unfortunately, the process has made all of our qualities of life much worse in other ways.  Stuffing hay bags is inherently unhealthy for people, as even great hay has dust, so I wear a full-face, particulate-filtering respirator as I meticulously measure out 6-pound bags.  For the horses, even the slow-feed nets can’t prevent them from going for hours without eating. Seriously, Hudson can polish off six pounds of hay in a net in one hour.

All calm until Hudson finishes her bag and steals Starlight's
But, that’s where we are, looking once more for a better solution. There are automated slow, hay feeders on the market, but they are pricey. I can’t justify the cost for a mechanical bale feeder, especially considering that filling one means cutting a round bale. I know people do this, but to me it seems like it would be as easy as cutting a bucket of spaghetti with a fish descaler.  

A better option for the horses might be one of the automated feeders that doles out hay pellets throughout the day.  I’d still be stuffing bags, but at least they would have regular nibbles to quell the acid in their guts. 

If you have recommendations on products or practices, let me know! In the meantime, we'll take it one, bright-pink, hay bag at a time. 
Hudson's shark-like attack of the pink bag


Monday, August 25, 2014

Out to Pasture

Announcement: The Twin Tiers Horse Blog has gone dark; however  I continue to provide information about local equestrian activities and competitions on The Twin Tiers Horse Facebook page, link here.

Please enjoy looking back through old posts on this blog, which I may revive in the future.

The Twin Tiers Horse and all blog posts and its original images/photos are copyrighted.  They may be used with permission.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

This Week's Pick: Walnut Hill, Aug. 6-10, 2014

For those looking for elegance, gorgeous horses, the best of rigs and some of the finest driving skills in the sports, head up to Pittsford, NY for the Walnut Hill Driving Show.  This is a major competition in the driving world, and it will bring out some of the sport's best teams.  

From Walnut Hill's website.
The weather should be perfect for this unusual event, so head north and check it out.  

Whatever you do, have fun with your pony!
 
What: Walnut Hill Driving Show, Pittsford, NY. 
When: August 6 - 10

Where: Pittsford, NY

From their website: Once each year, during August, the picturesque Pittsford, NY countryside comes alive with the magic and romance of an earlier era - a time when the Horse and Carriage were elevated from a simple means of personal conveyance to a portrait of their owner - a social commentary as to profession, personal taste, and character. It was the last decade of the 19th century - The Gilded Age.

In an attempt to recapture the essence and spirit of the 1890's, the Pittsford Carriage Association annually hosts The Walnut Hill Carriage Driving Competition. This international celebration of the art and sport of traditional driving in held in a 19th century country fair setting on the commodious grounds of Walnut Hill Farm, located at 397 West Bloomfield Road in Pittsford, New York.

This living showcase of Americana presents a unique marriage in modern day equine sport, that of combining the pageantry and beauty of exquisitely turned out equipages with the excitement of demanding competition.

Our comprehensive five day schedule of classes offers spectators the opportunity to view a wide variety of 19th century carriages exhibited by over 250 competitors from some 20 states, Canada, and Europe. Antique vehicles from tiny pony carts to huge road coaches drawn by a four-in-hand (four horses) appointed with highly polished brass and silver harness will be participating in all phases of classical driving competition, including cross-country obstacle classes and the elegant pleasure driving classes in the ring.

And Walnut Hill is not complete without you. We hope you will join us either as a competitor or as a spectator! This gala event is truly special and you will not be disappointed. 


For more info, email Walnut Hill Farm or call 585-385-2555; Tricia:  585.820.4555 walnuthillfarmdc@aol.com

http://www.walnuthillfarm.org/

Thursday, July 31, 2014

This Week's Pick: The Fair! July 30 - August 3, 2014

Photo Credit:
I am still a sucker for county fairs, and that's why this week's pick is the Chemung County Fair horse show.

There's just something about little girls in braids on their ponies, with a Ferris wheel in the background, and sleek jumpers casually taking colorful jumps with the clang of the midway as background music.

Sigh.  I haven't worn braids for decades. 

Anyway, go to the fair, and have a great time with your pony! 

Chemung County Fair Horse Shows
Hudson (thinner) and I (fatter) at the Fair, circa 2008

Horseheads, NY
July 31 - August 3, 2014

Horse Show Schedule
Office Hours: 6:30 am - End of Show Day

Thursday, July 31st
9:00am - Hunter Show

6:00pm - Speed Horse Show


Friday, August 1st
9:00am - Hunter Show

Saturday, August 2nd
8:00am - Open English Show

Sunday, August 3rd
8:00am - Open Western Horse Show
8:00am - Dressage Horse Show


Here's a link to the fair show schedule: 
http://www.chemungcountyfair.com/horseshowevents.html

Thursday, July 3, 2014

This weekend's Pick, July 5-6, 2014


This weekend's pick is the 2nd Annual Thoroughbred Jubilee Benefits Horse Show.

This show is open to all horses on Saturday and to thoroughbreds only on Sunday. 
Here's a chestnut TB mare who needs a home! 
Proceeds will go to Second Chance Thoroughbreds, an organization that retrains and re-homes off-the-track thoroughbreds, giving them a second career and a new chance at a good life.


The Sunday show includes two special classes.  One is for "warhorses," which I believe means older thoroughbreds who raced longer than most.  My favorite special class is the one that will contain only chestnut thoroughbred mares, a group of redheaded equines with a big reputation!

By the way, the thoroughbred mare pictured at right is available from Fingerlakes Finest.  Here's a link: http://fingerlakesfinesttbs.com/justgivemeasecond-2/

I hope you can participate, either by competing or by going to watch.  Whatever you do, have a great time with your horse this weekend!  

Happy Independence Day!

Here is the information from the show's Facebook page:

2nd Annual Thoroughbred Jubilee Benefit Horse Show 
All proceeds benefiting Second Chance Thoroughbreds Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

When: July 5-6, 2014

Where: at Chemung County Fairgrounds in Horseheads, NY

New this year - Saturday, July 5th will be an open horse show for all breeds!

Sunday, July 6th will be the all-thoroughbred horse show including The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program sponsored classes!

T.I.P. Divisions to include:
+Thoroughbred English Pleasure W/T/C Division
+Thoroughbred Western Pleasure W/J/L Division
+Thoroughbred Cross Rails Division
+Low Thoroughbred Hunter Division

T.I.P. Classes to include:
+Thoroughbred English Pleasure W/T/C Class
+Thoroughbred English Pleasure W/T Class
+Thoroughbred Western Pleasure W/J/L Class
+Thoroughbred Western Pleasure W/J Class
+Thoroughbred Hunter Classic
+Thoroughbred Jumper Classic

T.I.P. High Point Awards:
+High Point English Pleasure Thoroughbred Award
+Hunter High Point Thoroughbred Award
+Jumper High Point Thoroughbred Award

Various non-T.I.P. divisions/classes to be offered as well.

All thoroughbreds welcome, including those not raced. T.I.P. numbers are only required for T.I.P. sponsored divisions/classes. Get yours online -> http://tjctip.com/default.asp?page=19

A full show program with entries will be available soon!

If you are interested in being a volunteer or sponsor for our show, please email sctottbs@gmail.com with your interest


For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1376565472609861/