New Blankets

Horses at play!

Solo (left sired by Tri-colore) and K-leigh sired by Popeye-K

new blankets!

Solo (sired by Tricolore) and DeL'aire sired by Voltaire

K-Leigh sired by Popeye-K

Choke

My horse recently suffered from Choke recently. Esophageal Choke to be exact. Simply put he had something stuck in his throat.


After a day of grazing I brought the horses in and 5 minutes DeL’Aire started choking. Probably from bolting his grain. He meets his grain with an open mouth and swallows without chewing.



He stood with his neck extended and gagging or retching as if he was trying to throw up. Soon after frothy foam and mucous came out of his mouth and nose. I walked and walked him and lead him around the sand ring and grass lawn. All to no-avail



I have had horses with minor blockages before and they usually resolve themselves within a couple of hours. Not THIS TIME



Saturday my poor horse was, still standing with his neck stretched and wretching. The local vet came and tubed him. The vet pushed a plastic tube slightly smaller diameter of a garden hose up his nose and into his esophageous.

The vet returned on Sunday complete with tube and scope so that she could see the obstruction. After we saw it and once again passed the tube we flushed the blockage by gently pumping water to remove the blockage.

Prevention

• Choke can be prevented through management strategies:

• Wet the grain. Often pelleted grain swells and obstructs the esophagus. Prevent this from happening by watering the grain.

• To prevent horses bolting the grain, use a large flat bucket that grain is spread into. Don’t use a narrow bucket that will lump the grain and promote large mouthfuls.

• Get your horses teeth floated regularily.

Selling Horses

Today was an interesting day as we had a guest come by to look at horses. These kind of visits, for me, leave me hanging and wondering if i have done all the right things. I have had horses for a very long time and showing horses for sale always leaves me wondering. Like serving a meal and your guest just leaves without any comment on your dinner.

I showed three horses. All in various price ranges, and stages of training. One horse, 4 yr old gelding (sire is a horse named Tri - colore)did a superb job, jumped a course, did his lead changes, and was as far as Im concerned a star (and i may be a tad biased!) .

The other horse was a little more experienced. A 7 yr old TB mare with some showing experience. She did a wonderful round. The young rider (she is 13) wasn't sure what to expect. She did a wonderful job and showed the horse like a pro. Thanks. The horse yanked its knees up to its eyeballs and cantered down the lines in steady rhythmic fashion.

The final horse has been at this stable for 3 weeks now and although is 5 yrs old has just started jumping last week. her legs are clean and is impeccably bred. (sire = Popeye-K ) She cantered around the little jumps and took them all in stride... literally.

...

I certainly appreciated that they came and looked and knew right away what they liked and didn't continue to jump and jump and jump. Thanks everyone fro a great showing now we wait!....