RE: standards of care (long!!!!)

[Karen Sullivan <greymare@jps.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From:	Dakoiah@aol.com [SMTP:Dakoiah@aol.com]

It amazes me sometimes how people can have such totally different ideas on 
how horses should be cared for.

Juli and Alpine (mom, how come we aren't riding today??  WORMER DAY!   
AGHHHHHH!)

[Karen Sullivan]  I have learned that everybody does things differently; 
(because I used to be critical of how other people managed their horses-a terrible character fault of mine)  I am trying to be much more accepting of this, and have taken to heart the words of a great endurance rider and lady who occasionally posts here and believes that what is RIGHT is what works for you and your horses......

First, look at the bottom line-are the horses getting adequate food, water and shelter?  Of course, this is debatable too, as everyone had different standards for this.....but the horses should have constant water, good quality hay and some shelter from the elements.Are their feet in decent condition?

It sounds a little like you prefer to do things on a schedule, which is great, but also take a minute and question wether it is absolutely necessary for your friends horses.  Do the horses have worms? Maybe you can suggest a fecal on all horses; maybe even on a schedule, they have worms; maybe they don't have to be wormed every six weeks, or even six months.  Vaccinations?  There has been some discussion on wether or not horses are getting over-vaccinated.  Your veterinarians can discuss this with you....

I am not anal about stall cleaning......it is necessary to have a clean place for the horses to stand, and of course, to remove amonia-producing material.  Keeping horses in stalls is labor-intensive, and not the best situation for them, healthwise, anyway. Since I would much rather ride my horses than clean stalls; they are shut OUT of the stalls unless the weather is bad.....Of course, if the stalls are so dirty that the horses are getting thrush, or standing in manure, that is another story.

I have learned from a good friend that to keep to definite schedules
(such as stalls HAVE to be cleaned every day), will set up such unrealistic rules that you will stress yourself out trying to keep them!

There are MANY, MANY old myths about horse keeping that need to be dubunked!  Some people never give their horses water or grass on a trail-ride, becuase it is some outdated, equine knowledge that keeps being passed down.  I am not trying to be critical here, just suggesting that you look at the REASON for some of your horse-standards that you want your friend to keep and see if they are REALLY necessary.

I say good roomates and ESPECIALLY, good riding buddies are hard to find, and it is worth looking at this and making some compromises on both parts!   

If having a 6 week shoeing schedule works for you, great, but not all horses need their feet done every six weeks!  I try to keep on a schedule with the shod horses, becuase my farrier comes a long way. Some, at 7 to 8 weeks, are a tad long, some haven't grown enough hoof that they need a trim yet.  The barefoot horses totally vary.  If I have a horse that                                 
never needs a trim (a mare I had years ago was trimmed every 2 years), it seems pretty stupid to pay for it every 6 weeks;if the horse is doing fine!

I have two good riding friends that I believe take excellent care of their horses.  They do things very differently from me, and I have learned to accept this!

Since I have increased the herd to 7 horses, it is much more labor intensive.  I keep better records, do more shots, trimming and worming at the same time, regardless of wether they necessarly need it.  It lkeeps things easier.  I always discuss it with the vet, and take her knowledge into consideration. If I am a week or two late in worming, I don't obsess about it!!

One of my priorities is to RIDE these horses; get them out, exercised and exposed to new situations.  I take hay and beet-pulp and water whereever I go, in case I get delayed, so that my horses aren't ever in a situation of doing a long trail ride, then a long ride home with no water or mash.  I keep fly masks on them as much as I can, pick out feet constantly, electrolyte and take coolers along on rides.  I also always try to take goodies as a reward.  But I don't put on leg wraps or shipping boots or head bumpers to trailer; I don't use trailer partitions.  I shove 5 horses in my stock trailer, and expect them to haul fine, in any combination whereever I go. I expect them to tie where I tie them, go where I point them, and in general, don't baby them.  I DO love to take them all a warm bran mash when the weather is cold......In general, I think my horses have it very good......and seems to be proven by the fact that I have relatively few vet calls....

I was thinking about this yesterday, as I was cleaning a big run-in shed I have.  I have separate stalls and runs for 4 horses.  I have a   huge run-in area for 3.  It is still labor intensive.  My goal is to be set up for an EMERGENCY situation.  I will be able to put ALL the horses in the back field, and they can ALL come in to get shelter.  I want to be able to put all the hay in one area, and only have ONE water trough that can be heated and kept very  full . If there is every an situation where I have to jet out of town,  or the power and well go out; or the whole family is sick, the horses would have adequate food, water and shelter for several days, at least.  Now, I would not usually do this, would have a neighbor drop by to feed, check water and condition of horses.  []  I have a friend who goes on vacation, and expects someone to come to her house; feed twice a day, make sure automatic waterers are functioning; put on fly masks in the morning, take them off at night, give horses specific grain rations, AND clean stalls!!!  That is a lot to ask anyone.  I am set up that if I am gone; someone only has to throw hay over the fence!  But I still have separate areas to feed picky horses, or diet fat ones.

Anyway, I am busy, two kids and I try to keep things simple.  
So to make a long post end here, talk to your roomates, and find out the reasons WHY she does things the way she does, and the post about exchanging stall cleaning for  something else is a great one.  I agree, if her horses are contaminating your pasture because they aren't getting wormed, I would be concerned.  But, check first with some fecals to see exactly where you are!

Just a few thoughts from a formerly, very exacting and compulsive person!

Karen


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