another...SPECIAL EDITION

HOOF BOOTS:
...and how we can't live without them...

Like many things in the life of outdoorsy types, the weather can and does effect everyday comings and goings.

The immense amount of rain we've had during this spring and summer has meant the grass has grown, the mud has appeared , turned to dust and appeared again, and hooves have needed attention in ever decreasing time frames. 

So it is I find myself in a horse-related-common-predicament most horse owners will appreciate.  A week earlier than usual, T&H's hooves needed attention, they have just outgrown their shoes very fast.  Happily John had foreseen this and booked Steve early.

BUT, Steve had a 'shoe-and-show' at the East of England Show planned so he was coming Sunday instead of Saturday.  Saturday was nice, but Sunday it chucked it down and I had to concede Steve couldn't come.  By then I was forced myself to remove one of Tom's shoes.  I only do this if it's easy and the fear of damage to the horse is high, Steve would not approve of my technique, but I just can't seem to wield those heavy pliers in one hand, so kneeling down I rest their legs across my lap...and use 2 hands! (don't tell Steve).  Both Tom & Henry stand perfectly still, not tied up whilst I do this too, they are very good boys.

So, by Sunday Tom was hobbling about, his foot now sore, so I put a hoof boot on: size 5.  My favourite is the Easy Boot, I'm buying more once I've finished typing!

Then, and it's Tuesday night, of course drama can't happen here without Henry being involved, it just wouldn't be right, Henry has pulled one of his now loose shoes off somewhere, I still can't find it even with Coco's help, so the smaller hoof boot has gone on him too, size: 4.  One minute hobbling about, the next perfectly comfortable and happy. 

Tom and Henry are not put-off or slowed down by the attachment of hoof boots, so they go about their usual routine with them on.  We have mud here, but the height of the Easy boot covers the pastern and happily the mud isn't that deep...if John Craven is right though, it'll rain for another 3 weeks in all likelihood...note to self, stop watching Countryfile!

I recommend these hoof boots, they really allow the boys to get on with life and I don't worry about their feet getting sore...and of course it stops the horn wearing out more before Steve can get here...hopefully Friday...but who knows, it might still be raining.

UPDATE: 13July
I have ordered more Easyboot Hoofboots for Tom & Henry since they are so very handy, and whilst one pair are in the wash (not sure if you're supposed to put them in the washing machine, but I do), the new ones went on them this morning...I love next day delivery...their feet are all happy waiting for Steve to arrive later today.





I have also ordered some more insoles for them, and these I learn can be varied depending on the needs of your horse.  I simply wanted the common comfort ones replaced that came with the boot since my boys aren't suffering from any affliction, they just have missing shoes BUT after speaking to: URBAN HORSE, I learn there a few different types to suit recovering laminitics or those with hoof and sole damage.  In fact, the girls at URBAN HORSE specialise in all things barefoot & bitless, the natural way.  Give them a call they are very helpful.



...also, John found Henry's missing shoe!!!!!

SPECIAL EDITION:

RAIN:

We woke early this warm Sunday morning to the renewed sound of pouring rain.  It had been raining all night, but the weather was making one last big effort before it ran out of water over the Essex countryside.

It was that heavy, straight down gets everything properly soaking type of rain, the type that makes me happy I cut my lawn yesterday!

These are a few shots of what we imagine rain in July might look like: sunny, hot with beautiful bay Trakehners galloping about in glee...

The boys were in their yard, partially under the eves of the roof of the stable block, munching hay they had spread all-over.  I made their breakfasts and took the decision to put their bowls in their stables so they could eat out of the heavy wet rain, because I thought that might be a happy situation.

They went in of course, because nothing stands between any of us WW lot and a meal, BUT they weren't happy. They were anxious and alert.

Henry took each mouthful and ran to the open door to chew in an on-duty fashion.

Very twitchy, my boys were keeping an eye out, trying to hear what was going on, trying to see what was coming.

It occurred to me this high alert status is because of the rain.  Because the sounds are different, directionality has been altered by the rain and the vision is impaired due to the curtains of water falling straight down.

Then I realised something I always wonder about: Tom & Henry never come into their stables when its raining, they prefer to be out in the middle of the field, with their bums to the driving rain, this could be why...sound and sight.

You can see from this mornings 'real' photos how hard it is to even spot the boys through the driving rain.  It's hot but very wet.

Yesterday this field was dry and dusty, this deluge happened overnight.

Notice from this photo how T&H's ears are facing different directions, each taking responsibility for a direction as they would in the wild herd and you can spot this out riding too.  We often think the horse behind is grumpy because he's behind...but it's because his job is listening behind. The more forward horse takes the front with his ears forward, the horse behind in charge of sideways and behind.  here they have all directions covered so nothing can surprise them...except John who went out in the rain to take these pictures!

Inside they have walls to stop sounds travelling, to muffle the noises of possible predator encroachment.  Outside they have a 360 view and can use their vision hand in hand with their hearing to know exactly what's going on around them.

Horses have evolved to survive, they don't care about being wet, their primary mission is safety, above all other things.  It's this quest for being the safest that they can be that we need to be more in-tune with.  Just because I wouldn't care to eat out in the rain, T&H don't mind a bit, they just need that feeling of safety.

T&H wont go into the yard or their stables now until the rain has abated, and all fear of missing a threat has passed.  This is how horses are.

Now the grass is another matter.....growing fast and wet and muddy too now...we're going to have to adapt to these climate changes.  keeping our horses out more to keep them happy, learning to deal with mud fever in July, keeping an eye on their weight because of the elevated speed of growth of their primary fibre source: grass.

TCJpart21 Rugging Horses

TO RUG OR NOT TO RUG...THAT IS THE QUESTION:
...and one we ask ourselves everyday once we've checked the local weather...it's tricky, but there are some checks you can make to be more...'scientific' about your choices...

Tom & Henry rock the snowsuits in FALPRO silver interactive well-fitting rugs.  They cost me a fortune, but they're so worth it.

I strongly believe in keeping my horses as naturally as possible, I don’t trim them at all except their tails but only because they get so long the boys tread on them getting up and down!

Horses are designed to be outdoors with only natural shelter from sun and rain. Obviously if your horse was designed for arid dessert environment and you keep him in the UK, or your horse is clipped, rugs are a very useful tool.

Mine are happy rugless, they cope with extreme cold as their natural temperature control is better than any rug can provide.  

They grow good hairy coats and provided I keep the mud roughly brushed off so the hair can stand up they have a brilliant personal heating system, there is hardly ever any need to rug them.

Having said all that their are certain 'triggers' in the weather, which mean I can  be flexible with rugs, since I would much rather them be out with a good rug on, than shut away indoors where space is restricted.  If there is one important lesson I have learned keeping T&H, is that being outdoors, with freedom to roam in safety is the most important thing to a horse.

**I keep their stable doors open all year round full of clean bedding and fresh haylage, the only times they consistently choose to use the shelter of their boxes is in hot and sunny weather.  They never go inside in the rain.  They might stand together with their bums toward the rain or wind backs against the hedge of their boundary looking, we believe, miserable, but this is extreme anthropomorphising - they are not us - we'd rather have a hot bath, get into jamies and sit by the fire with a cuppa - horses want to be outside...end of story.

Tom and Henry looking all snugly in the cold.  rain was forecast overnight, hence the rugs.

Triggers:

I spent a lot of time analysing my horses at different times of the year.  Measuring their temperatures, noting their behaviour during a variety of weathers.  And I learned to my surprise that I had been rugging them far too much, and the effect of this ultimately meant their natural defences (their coats) were never fully winter ready. Now they are.

I do however rug them when certain markers are reached, triggers in the combination of elements.  With a temperature + rain + wind strategy, it’s easy to work out the rug situation.

Spend time outdoors with your horse in lots of weathers and understand what his needs are. I set temperature goals for certain scenarios and stick by them. I have a thermometer in the feed room which I check twice a day, and I keep a careful watch on the local weather forecast too, find one that is as accurate as possible for your area.

The triggers I have decided to use to decide whether rugs go on or not are:

Temperature.

Rain/Snow/Sleet,

Wind

...and combinations of all those.

I know for example at what air temperature Tom and Henry begin to get cold (put your face up against your horses body, feel the warmth coming through the hair...or not - this  also means you don't need to take your gloves off either). 

It's very rare that I will rug against cold only. 

It's 2 degrees today, sunny dry mid December morning, they are naked.

When I do, it's because it's dropped below a certain marker/temperature.  You can find this out about your own horse by noticing how cold it needs to get before he is cold. It's really worth doing this groundwork, because you might be surprised like I was how few times they actually need rugs on - we like them to be snugly when we leave them at night in the winter...but that may not be what they need, and in certain cases, might also be unhealthy. 

 In the rain too, as long as its not below 4degrees I keep them naked. When I do rug is if the combination of wet + cold happens, when the rain is heavy and prolonged: IE, it’s unlikely there will be time to get dry and warm before another downpour, or if it's very windy. This will mean the moisture will evaporate off their bodies and keep them at a lower temperature,

IE: rain + wind, means cold = rugs. The wind changes everything, because if they’re wet, wind can make a happy horse very cold, very quickly.

wet + cold = rugs

If its just prolonged wet, a lightweight sheet goes on, well fitted of course so it doesn’t hinder their natural movement (and for T&H that’s means galloping about like mad things).

Cold/wet/windy they have a medium turnout for that extra snugly quality.

And in the snow, they have a heavyweight, because I don’t want them freezing in combination with the wetness of the snow, and they roll about in it, gallop about in it and eat it too!

Tom & Henry xxx

Consider the long-term effects of deep mud - not just for mud fever. Wet mud is very cold in winter, and your horse might be standing in it all day, getting cold from the feet up. This is another trigger for me bringing Tom & Henry in at night. Their feet get a chance to be clean, dry and warm.

When the weather always has my fields wet and muddy, and it’s cold and windy too, they come in at night. Above 5degrees they remain rugless

Neck covers: I buy rugs with them because I like the options of being able to be flexible with my weather protection, but rarely use them. Tom & Henry LOVE to roll and the neck covers just seem to lessen their enjoyment of getting as filthy as possible!

ahhhhh...Henry xxx

I sometimes rug indoors too, because the restricted room disallows them to move about and get themselves warm as they would do whilst out.

So indoors + extreme cold (minus2 degrees for eg (you decide what your own level is for your horse)) = rugs. 

Choosing rugs can be tricky.  I have found a brand that fits my boys perfectly so I buy all their outfits from that brand.  They don’t rub, they never slip, are fully, easily and quickly adjustable, marvellously waterproof, modern and lightweight and have silver interactive linings, which to my surprise really do make cuts and knocks heal quickly!

Be fussy when you buy rugs, assume you'll spend a fortune for a good one, it'll be worth it - I have had mine for years, and only needed to buy more because the boys grew!!  check they fit your horses body shape well - there are so many shapes and fits - because they will be spending all day in them, they have got to perform.

happy rugging.......or not! xx

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