Thursday, August 2, 2012

Muddy!

Happiness is a dirty horse- they can't get muddy if it doesn't rain! Grow grass, grow! Just look at that pathetic pasture. I know it could be worse, a lot worse, the Associated Press just reported that the drought is intensifying in the Plains states. Did you know that the American Midwest grows most of the corn for the entire planet? This drought isn't only affecting us, the whole world is feeling it.

Anyway, onto the dirty horses:

What is he finding to chew on?

Honestly, he looks a little skeptical too
Updated photo of Coriander's leg wound. About a week after he first cut it the flap came off, which was a little alarming, but I've been diligently spraying it with Wellhorse and I think it's been healing pretty well. I'll be getting another bottle of that stuff.
I can touch the camera too!
Gwen's chest and neck swelling has gone down too. It comes out that arnica gel will work even when applied over hair. The day after her first application the swellings had already softened a bit and were less painful to the touch. Now they are almost completely gone. Happy mare!

Are you hiding the good grass under your feet?

How do you like my sun flare?
There's more rain in the forecast, I can't wait. Neither can they I think.

11 comments:

  1. Coriander is so muscly! And good news for Gwen's swelling!
    We are having major drought. I hope our hay fields grow. We have gotten a teeny tiny bit of rain in the past week, I keep wishing for more.

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    1. I'll join you in the rain dance! Right now it's looking like second cutting might be a total wash. I hope your little haffie will be set for this winter.

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  2. Glad your horses are in healing mode. Love your new header.

    We got some rain with more in the forecast. It doesn't seem as if the grass is growing much though. Thank god I can always count on the weeds, they're very hardy.

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    1. I was just thinking that myself yesterday looking at the pasture- the weeds are the only plants that look healthy.

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  3. I hope you get some rain soon. We have been having very weird weather with random thunderstorms and rain every other day, not to mention that crazy derecho earlier this summer.

    Monocultures, like all the corn we grow in this country, are dangerous, because if adverse conditions arise, all the kernels are in the same basket, so to speak. I wish we didn't grow that much corn; it has led to a surplus and corn being used for everything from cat and dog food to sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup) to gasoline additives (ethanol). This is a downside to government subsidy, which I do not believe was intended for mass production of one crop.

    Grapes of Wrath anyone?

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    1. My husband is a plant breeding professor and we have discussions about this quite often. I strongly agree with you, monoculture is a bad idea- it leaves you open to devastation from drought and disease, not to mention planting the same crop over and over on the same piece of dirt will deplete it something awful.

      I also think that the government subsidizing corn hasn't helped, they should subsidize agriculture in general not a single crop. Of course I also think that farm land should be worth more than residential land but then the farmers could never afford it.

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  4. I'm glad to hear everyone is healing nicely! Well, except your pastures, but maybe you'll get some rain soon. In NC, where I am, we've been getting a lot of rain, except it comes with fairly severe storms each time. It's better than a drought, but the storms are causing quite a bit of damage.

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    1. That seems to be the story of this year world-wide. You either get one extreme or the other. Drought or devastating storms. Where'd the happy medium go?

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  5. Arnica gel is awesome stuff, everyone should have a tube.

    In high school I took a friend into the horse pasture one wet and muddy spring. We were both wearing knee high wellington boots that were too big. She took about three steps into the pasture and then her foot came right out of the boot and landed ankle deep in the mud. This, of course, had happened to me many, many times so I just about fell over laughing. Surprisingly it made her quite angry. I must be a bad friend ;)

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  6. Rain, oh rain! The ponies look good, glad to hear they are healing quickly and happily. That "Thrush Off" is my new FAVE! Quickest results for us so far, and I've tested oh...most all products out there ;)
    Looking forward to more hoof posts! (slight nudge ;))

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  7. Oh my , yes please bring on the rains. We have been in a "Heat Wave" for Oregon. Oregon normally has 1 or 2 days of 90's...100 is very rare. And Rain comes in between everything in Oregon. We have had severl weeks maybe 2 mo. now of no rains at all- not normal-have had 2 weeks of 90's. Woo, I'm a heat whimp, and so is my mare!

    That was some wound Coriander got. It does look so much better. That Product ( and site) is very neat how they have the before/after shots.Thanks for sharing that!
    May be better than Vetyercine!! But I bet it cost the same. May have to get me some, for future.

    ARNICA is the best for traumas...I carry Homeopathic pills and gel in my saddle bags and trailer. Not to mention stable vet kit. It is a staple for vetting with my sis and me.

    Sigh...hang in.... and YOU should come to out neck sometime...seminar class..what ever excuse you may find...we'll put you up and take you to the finest forests we have!
    Kac


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