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.

TRAKEHNERS will JUMP at fireworks! (part20)

 

FIREWORK NIGHTS:
...and why I can't wait for it all to be over!!!

Every year in November, animal owners, especially those of us with horses, dread the weekend nights around 5th November.  

Fireworks are very scary to all creatures wild and domestic, they don’t understand, and horses especially have a hard time, compounded if their room to flee is unsafe or restricted.  There have been many horrific stories of injuries to horses who have galloped through fences into roads in terror of fireworks, even police horses.

The law is clear:  it is illegal to light fireworks on any land adjacent to grazing cattle or horses,  and thought should be considered to horses living near to your garden display too, as causing deliberate anxiety to any animal is an offense and can be prosecuted.

I keep my horses on land at my house, I am very lucky that my direct neighbours wouldn’t dream of causing my boys any distress, regardless of the law telling them it’s illegal.  And indeed fireworks in our village are rarely close enough to cause concern,  by ‘concern’ I mean my 2 boys, and my neighbours’ 3 horses, galloping around their fields in fear.  But I do ask all those near me, and all the other horses in my village, within about a quarter mile of horses to please warn us of your intention to light fireworks. (drop a note through the door – when and where), so we can all take appropriate safety measures, preparation can be key in avoiding injury.

 

Know your horse:  

So let’s assume you're  in receipt of information that fireworks are going off within 1/4 mile of your horse:

If he’s happier being inside, then that’s the place to put him, but please don’t separate him from his mates, this will cause him more stress.  Make a plan with other owners at your yard, or in my case, just make a plan!!  Either keep them all in or put them all out. Arrange for one sensible owner to be in the yard just in case alarm needs raising, or treats need administering. If any horse is likely to behave in an agitated way in his stable, dress him like he’s travelling and boot his legs. 

Mine, like lots of horses, feel happier outside,  so that’s where they stay, if I had known someone very near me was having fireworks on the 12th, I would have also put protective legwear like tendon or brushing boots on them too, to help avoid any potential injuries from unscheduled gallopage.   Walk the field during the daylight to make sure there are no potential hazards that might cause injury during the flight.

Some horses might benefit from sleeping over at a friend’s house that night, moving your horse can be a good idea, but weigh the stress of a change of scenery with the potential risk of staying put.  Your vet can help with sedation if you’re having a very hard time with your horse too, so ask him about this. 

The BHS have some useful pointers too:

What to do

1. Look at local press and shop notice boards and listen to the radio to find out where the displays will be in your area.
2. Wherever possible, tell neighbours and local firework display organisers that there are horses nearby, so they can ensure fireworks are set off in the opposite direction and well away from them.
3. Decide whether to stable your horse or leave it in the field. It is sensible to keep your horse in its familiar environment, in its normal routine, with any companions to make it feel secure. If it is usually stabled, keep it stabled. If it is normally out in the field, keep it there as long as it is safe, secure and not close to the firework display area.
4. If stabled, check thoroughly for anything that could cause potential injury such as protruding nails and string.
5. If your horse is to stay in the field, check that fencing is not broken and that there are no foreign objects lying around.
6. Ensure that you, or someone experienced, stays with your horse if you know that fireworks are being set off.
7. If it is absolutely necessary for you to leave your horse in the care of another person during a firework display, then be sure to leave clear instructions and contact details for both you and your vet should any problems arise.
8. If you know your animal will be stressed, talk to your vet about sedation or perhaps consider moving your horse for the night.
9. Try to remain calm yourself and keep positive, as horses will sense unease in a person and this may make things worse if the horse is startled.It may seem common sense but be aware of your own safety; a startled horse can be dangerous.
10. Whatever you do – don’t risk riding when you think fireworks might be set off.
11. Check if there will be a bonfire near your yard. If there is, make sure you have an emergency fire procedure in place. If you have any doubts, talk to your local fire safety officer.
12. Make sure that you have adequate third party liability insurance. If your horse is frightened and escapes, causing an accident, then you could be held liable for compensation.

For further advice please contact the BHS Safety Department on 01926 707782 or email: d.parkinson@bhs.org.uk

Me? I put on my puffa and sit outside with them, a cup of tea, some cats and a husband with night vision binoculars John bought me last xmas.

This year was a 3 bag of treats problem:  they were scared, have fireworks gotten louder or am I getting older? But we got through it without too much stress, and three bags of treats (all different) and some carrots too.

  

Please let’s all enjoy ourselves and think of others.