Keeping a Horse Journal....

[offgridgirl]

Does anyone else keep a journal on their horse(s)???

I noticed that whenever there is a training or health problem, ie bad behavior, injuries, Most poeple say that "They don't remember when.... or I don't know when that behavior started." Most Vets or farriers( or people here) first question is when did.....?? How long has that been going on???

The wound course I took, stronly suggested that a notebook and pen with your emergency kit cuz you need to be detailed to your vet when you call him/her with emergency information

I keep a journal and write in it most days. Usually, I note down, date, weather, feeding and then anything unusual ie sheath cleaning or cut on left leg...and what I did to clean it or leave it.... and any riding I did,how long and where I went... If I noticed any behavior different from the normal.... I note when the mare that I have boarding goes into heat cuz it changes my guy's behavior....
SOOO what about it anyone????

[Horseaholic]

I don't have a horse...yet...but I definitely plan on keeping a journal like yours. I always want to do a journal for my own health as well. (since im trying to figure out some health issues). I think I'll be much better with my horse rather than myself. ;)

[offgridgirl]

Either or both are great ideas....

[Me'N'Chic]

Sounds like a GREAT idea--I may have to start! Thanks!

[Arrow]

Yep--I do it religiously--ever single day I see him. Sometimes I write a sentence (grooming only, today), others a couple of pages, most days, somewhere in between. I make note of the weather, how long I rode, the tack I used (saddle vs. bareback), any health issues (a cough, a limp, a cut), and of course, training issues. I love having a record of all my time with Arrow, and when I had a problem with a poorly fitting saddle the first year, I could look bad at how he acted with thinner and thicker saddle pads--it came in very handy!

It's funny--but I made a thread about that at horse.com, and WB remarked that her posts at horse.com served that purpose. Well...look at how that turned out!

[Miracle Whip]

I don't have a journal but I do keep track on a calender when I ride and what we worked on that day, and how the horse behaved. I have found that it helps keep me motivated. I love to ride but I am very lazy. I attend horse shows for just that reason, it gives me a reason to clean tack, wash horses, and train. Plus, if I only rode say 3 times in October it guilts me into riding more. Without putting it on paper, you really don't know when you rode last.

[Kowgirlkate]

I do :). I keep track of everything going on with my horses in a paper journal and then highlite the fun stuff on a blog. It helps me remember what all works for training different ones, different diets, and thier accomplishments or quirks. Back when we bred/raised horses I journaled those adventures too. Nobody else might care to read it but I like doing it.

[offgridgirl]

Excellent gals.....I hope to get more people to do it!!
Arrow- GOOD for YOU!! yes it does make a difference when you go back and look and read what was going on. !!!
I just re read some things from the first year I owed my guy....

[luvs2ride1979]

There's a GREAT free online horsekeeping site you should check out, http://www.rendaivu.com It's very handy for keeping track of, well, everything! lol I use it for health records, deworming reminders, and trimming schedules.

[valleyrider]

I don't keep a journal but I do mark on a calendar when the Vet or Blacksmith comes, when we get hay, when we worm the boys and what we used..

[offgridgirl]

There's a GREAT free online horsekeeping site you should check out, http://www.rendaivu.com It's very handy for keeping track of, well, everything! lol I use it for health records, deworming reminders, and trimming schedules.
That's great!! It would really be handy for managing large barns!!

I just use my cell for reminders on the farrier and worming:cool:.(I am lost when the battery is low:eek:..heheheheh)
The vet sends out cards.