Miracle Whip
12-13-2008, 04:07 PM
This might sound silly but I am going to say it. I don't have a barn, so my horses are in a pasture or a pen with a shelter. I don't have a stall to tie them up in. I can take them OUT of the pen, tie them to the trailer or a tree, or groom them in the pen.
Tonight I groomed both horses and I wanted to say that it is a good idea to check on pasture horses PERIODICALLY in the winter. For one thing, both of mine like to lie down and their tummies get dirty, smelly and crappy. Especially if they lay down in the shed. Yes, I am cleaning the shelter more often this year. The turds freeze and they are easier to remove than I thought. Plus I splurged and bought a BRAND new wheelbarrow when I worked at TRUE VALUE hardware.
ANYWAY, it is a good idea to brush their tummies. I also learned the gelding is THINNER than he was last year, the mare is getting possessive of her hay. Last year the gelding was the easy keeper and this year, so far, the pony is a butter ball. I'd rather have her chunky than no muscle tone like she was this past spring, when it FINALLY arrived. You can't tell much visually because their hair puffs out ALOT. Gotta feel their flanks, butt, chest, etc. And Ginger does not just lie down in the shelter, I have seen her lie down in front of it, on the snow, and so her tummy gets matted and wet.
Would you believe we still have burrs that they are getting into? Thought I burned them all.
Tonight I groomed both horses and I wanted to say that it is a good idea to check on pasture horses PERIODICALLY in the winter. For one thing, both of mine like to lie down and their tummies get dirty, smelly and crappy. Especially if they lay down in the shed. Yes, I am cleaning the shelter more often this year. The turds freeze and they are easier to remove than I thought. Plus I splurged and bought a BRAND new wheelbarrow when I worked at TRUE VALUE hardware.
ANYWAY, it is a good idea to brush their tummies. I also learned the gelding is THINNER than he was last year, the mare is getting possessive of her hay. Last year the gelding was the easy keeper and this year, so far, the pony is a butter ball. I'd rather have her chunky than no muscle tone like she was this past spring, when it FINALLY arrived. You can't tell much visually because their hair puffs out ALOT. Gotta feel their flanks, butt, chest, etc. And Ginger does not just lie down in the shelter, I have seen her lie down in front of it, on the snow, and so her tummy gets matted and wet.
Would you believe we still have burrs that they are getting into? Thought I burned them all.