DECEMBER 2011

The poop Scoop

December 14, 2011  Issue 1

Well it’s raining and rather than cleaning the light bulbs again on such a wet day I thought it was time to start my stable blog. It may not make it out to the world of cyberspace, but it could be fun and informative to our stable community. It might be a fun place to keep everyone up to date on who is where and what horse is what around the stable.

Wettest year in Ohio history!

The year isn’t over yet.

Did I mention rain at the beginning of this letter? Who didn’t feel a bit more  soggy this year? Besides wrecking   a lot riding days we’ve been faced with more rain rot, thrush and mud fever than ever. (My feet itch!) Everyone has a remedy to try to keep this stuff at bay, so ask around for any hints. In the meantime, I’ll try to keep the horses out of too much wet without compromising their turnout time. Horses will ruin pastures for next spring if too wet anyways.

     

Cold weather reminders:

Use the hose by the washer to top off water buckets with warm water.

Follow the ventilation chart on the aisle bulletin board for how much to leave doors open.

Drain the hose on the wash rack. (Unless I shut off lines for the winter. Then you have to drag the hose out of the tack room.)

Never leave water in the aisle buckets or they freeze.

Take home anything that will freeze in your tack locker. I.e. shampoo, fly spray, things you won’t use till spring.

TURN THE FURNACE DOWN TO 55*WHEN YOU LEAVE!

If you borrow someone’s gloves, hat or boots, please put them back(DRY) where you found them.

 2011

The year in review.

Horse vs. human.

I like to save the weekly planner sheets to refer back to for phone numbers, horse health issues and any notable events through the year. You are more than welcome to read back thru the year and see the daily goings on. I think most significantly was the increased incidents in horse accidents resulting in a trip to the emergency room. Let’s see, Robbi’s toe amputation, Sara’s nose testing the hardness of Irish’s skull, Donna’s hoof performing horse ju jits tsu on Holly’s ankle, Kristi’s humorous (wasn’t humorous when she was bucked off Bleu), Susie T. parting company with Willie, Sue D getting the cherry bump of a life time from Brody .  If I forgot anyone, I apologize. Or maybe you don’t want to relive your experience.

Formula: Horse+Human+Velocity+Gravity+Arc+Dip+Pitch=CRASH!

Having said that, let’s think safety for 2012. How many would be interested in a safety wine and cheese party this winter? We can go over the main roads around MGS, gates for emergency evacuation, definitions landmarks, quadrants, etc… and brainstorm all of our experiences collectively to come up with a safety procedure manual for Mountain Glen.

Jeep says! (He means it!) Don’t forget our health, safety and treats too! We get hurt too.

                                   

Jeep said we need a first aid course for horses too!  He recommends a hands on demonstration for injuries from lameness, eye injuries, colic, bandaging, you name it. We are horses and we’ll get into some kind of amazing trouble. In short, “what to do until the Vet comes”.

Just for fun on a cold winter, take a look at our Mountain Glen guest book. There is eleven years of history in there. There are some amusing little anecdotes from staff, boarders and lessees past and present about a memorable ride, the loss of a beloved horse, comments about the weather and incriminating information that could be used in court.

I want to thank everyone for making the big 50 the very best day. You guys rock this place!

 Remember, “Keep your heels down!

Holly