When we moved here 7 or so years ago, our barn aisle had a dirt floor. My first instinct was to put a cement aisle in and then mats on top of that. But it wasn't really a top priority in the beginning when we had so many things to buy to get "set up" here. As time passed, I came to think the dirt floor was actually pretty nice. Easy to rake out, easy to make cozy by just allowing scattered hay to lie on it, pretty easy on the horses' feet.
Eventually I came to be familiar with the downsides. Dust. And more dust. No clean surface for doing anything with hooves. More recently, since I've been letting Salina and Rafer and Redford have the barn aisle as part of their "territory" it has gotten worn down in some places and not quite as level as it used to be.
We've been doing some work around the barn and paddocks this month. We've filled the shelter (just need one more load) with small stones. It was dirt too and I had some issues with it over time in some ways similar to the barn aisle. I wanted the shelter to be tidier and also a different "terrain" for the hooves. These stones are small and very cushy. The horses are loving standing on them and I can already see a difference in their feet, which seem tougher.
I considered putting screenings or even these small stones in the barn aisle too. I also considered rubber pavers. Somehow, I wanted a smoother surface in the barn aisle so that ruled out stone, and the pavers were nice but expensive.
I read about doing cement and inlaying mats - I still like that idea but right now I'm not wanting to spend the money to do that - and I still hesitate about the cement just because if I end up not liking it, it's such a bear to change.
So, after living with the dirt aisle for years, we got stall mats and have doubled them up down the center of the aisleway. Ideally, we will put in stone dust, pack it down and level it, and cut mats so they fit flush to the stall walls on all sides and go all the way to the barn doors. But for now we've just lined them up, leaving a bit of room on either side.
I could see when we put them in that Redford was alarmed about this new thing in his barn, so I let Keil Bay in first so everyone could see him saunter through. He lowered his head to check them out but didn't even slow down as he clop clop clop clopped through. Salina was right behind him. These two have Been There and Done That and nothing really upsets them. Redford skedaddled right and left and right and left a few times, wanting to follow Salina but nervous about these black things in his way. After about 15 seconds he made a mad dash through the barn, and the cutest little hoof sounds!
Rafer was totally fine with the mats. In fact, he seemed to like the authoritative sound his hooves made and he kept walking back and forth and back and forth.
Cody checked them out and then walked on over. The pony was last and just in case we changed our minds and diverted him from going through, he came through at a big pony trot. He loves trotting through the barn aisle, so this was no different for him.
I cleaned hooves tonight on the new mats, which immediately got nice and brown with dust, and then white with the hoof powder I used. It was nice to be able to clean a hoof and have it stay pretty perfectly clean when I set it down. I swept the hoof pickings into a pile between each horse. Nice and tidy. I think we'll live with them this way as we work on putting stone/gravel/screenings in some other areas and then we'll see proceed with the full matting process.
Any thoughts and ideas are welcome! And we're getting ready to re-roof the barn, so I would LOVE to hear any input about metal roofs versus shingles. We are seriously thinking of going metal.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
one of my favorite things to do with horses
It was just getting dark and we have rain coming in fits and starts along with some cooler weather this evening. The horses were all ready to come into stalls for hay and shelter, so I got hay served, let them in, did some mucking of paddocks before the rain returned, and then opened up Keil Bay and Cody's back doors.
I went into the arena with the lunge whip and opened the gate from the paddock hoping they would join me. Cody had gone into Keil's stall and Keil turned to watch me from his stall door while Cody cleaned up the rest of Keil's hay.
Keil Bay wasn't yet sure he was answering my invitation, so I walked around from dressage marker to dressage marker, tapping the lunge whip handle on the markers, tap tap tap, and he couldn't resist. He walked in and joined me. Then of course Cody had to come in too.
Cody and Keil Bay walked off side by side as I swept the whip across the footing and raised my left arm. They immediately got in sync and were walking in nice long strides. We did a number of circuits of the arena in a figure 8 pattern at the walk and then they decided to trot. We played back and forth a bit and then they got in sync with ME. I walked, they walked. I trotted, they trotted. I cantered, they did.
I love the sound of their hooves on the very slightly wet footing in the arena, and the shared energy. The pony was watching out his stall door. Salina was watching from the other side of the barn. The donkeys came out to see what was going on.
Of course at some point Keil and Cody worked themselves up into a higher energy level and they galloped and bucked and snorted and went a little wild while I watched. As they got bigger and faster, I took myself out of the path of that much energy and as soon as I stepped to the side, Keil Bay brought himself down and walked up to me, as if he was trying to include me again.
Cody stopped too, and the three of us walked around together for a few minutes before I opened the gate and stood there. Keil came over and stood with me for a bit before heading back to his stall. Cody waited and then did the same.
This is something we've often done on rainy evenings, a ritual that got started when we first moved to November Hill, and I love that it happens so easily and with nothing more than me opening the gate and inviting them in. Taking turns giving the cues and leading and following.
I went into the arena with the lunge whip and opened the gate from the paddock hoping they would join me. Cody had gone into Keil's stall and Keil turned to watch me from his stall door while Cody cleaned up the rest of Keil's hay.
Keil Bay wasn't yet sure he was answering my invitation, so I walked around from dressage marker to dressage marker, tapping the lunge whip handle on the markers, tap tap tap, and he couldn't resist. He walked in and joined me. Then of course Cody had to come in too.
Cody and Keil Bay walked off side by side as I swept the whip across the footing and raised my left arm. They immediately got in sync and were walking in nice long strides. We did a number of circuits of the arena in a figure 8 pattern at the walk and then they decided to trot. We played back and forth a bit and then they got in sync with ME. I walked, they walked. I trotted, they trotted. I cantered, they did.
I love the sound of their hooves on the very slightly wet footing in the arena, and the shared energy. The pony was watching out his stall door. Salina was watching from the other side of the barn. The donkeys came out to see what was going on.
Of course at some point Keil and Cody worked themselves up into a higher energy level and they galloped and bucked and snorted and went a little wild while I watched. As they got bigger and faster, I took myself out of the path of that much energy and as soon as I stepped to the side, Keil Bay brought himself down and walked up to me, as if he was trying to include me again.
Cody stopped too, and the three of us walked around together for a few minutes before I opened the gate and stood there. Keil came over and stood with me for a bit before heading back to his stall. Cody waited and then did the same.
This is something we've often done on rainy evenings, a ritual that got started when we first moved to November Hill, and I love that it happens so easily and with nothing more than me opening the gate and inviting them in. Taking turns giving the cues and leading and following.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
feed store and a good ride on the Big Bay
I made a trip to the feed store today and realized I haven't (I don't think) written here about the new offerings they have added to their already pretty nice selection of feed items. I went in one day about a month ago to find a table full of Mason jars that were each full of samples of various things. That's the kind of display that catches my attention, and I was absolutely thrilled to discover that they have a new and local feed supplier who is providing an array of locally sourced, organic, feed items.
They have alfalfa pellets, whole flax, whole oats, barley, and a number of other things. And it's all incredibly affordable. So I'm now buying the organic alfalfa pellets and the organic whole flax. They come in plain brown bags with the name of the item written on the outside in black magic marker! Gorgeous, good smelling ingredients. I use steam rolled oats for Keil Bay and Salina but have wondered if it might be possible to buy the local, organic whole oats and do the steam rolling myself. Haven't investigated that fully yet, but it's exciting that what I priced over a year ago that was completely out of reach is now affordable and easy.
When I got home I unloaded feed, did a little mucking, and then Keil Bay headed up to the gate indicating that yes, he was ready for a ride. We used the bitless today and I landed in the saddle just as the sunset was painting itself across the sky. It was absolutely gorgeous out.
We had a slightly less forward ride initially but we did some flexions, some figure 8s, and things picked up quite a bit at that point. We went into high gear for the last 2/3 of the ride. It's probably notable that we had extremely warm temps today so all of us were a bit laid back. As the sun set though, a very cool breeze picked up and that's when we went into high gear. I had no twinging today and felt like my legs were about 6 inches longer than two days ago!
If we're lucky tomorrow the coming rain won't get here until late afternoon and I can ride mid-day. Or in the rain again, since I got lucky and found a Thinline sheepskin dressage pad at a terrific price and only used a handful of times. Now if one gets wet we'll have a back-up.
They have alfalfa pellets, whole flax, whole oats, barley, and a number of other things. And it's all incredibly affordable. So I'm now buying the organic alfalfa pellets and the organic whole flax. They come in plain brown bags with the name of the item written on the outside in black magic marker! Gorgeous, good smelling ingredients. I use steam rolled oats for Keil Bay and Salina but have wondered if it might be possible to buy the local, organic whole oats and do the steam rolling myself. Haven't investigated that fully yet, but it's exciting that what I priced over a year ago that was completely out of reach is now affordable and easy.
When I got home I unloaded feed, did a little mucking, and then Keil Bay headed up to the gate indicating that yes, he was ready for a ride. We used the bitless today and I landed in the saddle just as the sunset was painting itself across the sky. It was absolutely gorgeous out.
We had a slightly less forward ride initially but we did some flexions, some figure 8s, and things picked up quite a bit at that point. We went into high gear for the last 2/3 of the ride. It's probably notable that we had extremely warm temps today so all of us were a bit laid back. As the sun set though, a very cool breeze picked up and that's when we went into high gear. I had no twinging today and felt like my legs were about 6 inches longer than two days ago!
If we're lucky tomorrow the coming rain won't get here until late afternoon and I can ride mid-day. Or in the rain again, since I got lucky and found a Thinline sheepskin dressage pad at a terrific price and only used a handful of times. Now if one gets wet we'll have a back-up.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
lessons in riding, 16: ride the one who comes to the gate
Yesterday I went out and called to Keil Bay to head in for a ride. He was focused on something that didn't seem to be "of this world" - he was staring off into the distance and actually went down to the front fence facing the sun setting and just gazed westward. He does this now and then, and I always wonder what it means. He seems peaceful when he does it. Like he might be remembering something pleasant.
Cody, however, came to the gate and planted himself there, and after a few times of calling Keil Bay to come ride, I listened to what he was saying, listened to what Cody was saying, and rode Cody.
We used the bitless bridle and I enjoyed spending some quiet time in the barn grooming the big red Quarter horse. We had a good ride together.
Unfortunately today was busy for me and I had to let the idea of a ride go. I had an early chiro/massage appointment and a perio appointment in the afternoon. They have fitted me for a "night guard" that is supposed to address some teeth grinding I have apparently been doing. I haven't been aware of the grinding but know I've been clinching my jaw muscles off and on. As they were fitting this monstrosity (they took impressions last week using some soft stuff that changed colors as it dried) it occurred to me that sleeping in one of these might be akin to a certain young donkey having to get used to a grazing muzzle. And I wondered if I took the piece of clear plastic out to show him whether it might make him feel better about that muzzle. I doubt it, but maybe he'll pick up on my sympathetic energy and that will ease the adjustment for both of us.
I had a number of adjustments done today from lower back all the way up to my neck so I HOPE things feel good tomorrow!
Cody, however, came to the gate and planted himself there, and after a few times of calling Keil Bay to come ride, I listened to what he was saying, listened to what Cody was saying, and rode Cody.
We used the bitless bridle and I enjoyed spending some quiet time in the barn grooming the big red Quarter horse. We had a good ride together.
Unfortunately today was busy for me and I had to let the idea of a ride go. I had an early chiro/massage appointment and a perio appointment in the afternoon. They have fitted me for a "night guard" that is supposed to address some teeth grinding I have apparently been doing. I haven't been aware of the grinding but know I've been clinching my jaw muscles off and on. As they were fitting this monstrosity (they took impressions last week using some soft stuff that changed colors as it dried) it occurred to me that sleeping in one of these might be akin to a certain young donkey having to get used to a grazing muzzle. And I wondered if I took the piece of clear plastic out to show him whether it might make him feel better about that muzzle. I doubt it, but maybe he'll pick up on my sympathetic energy and that will ease the adjustment for both of us.
I had a number of adjustments done today from lower back all the way up to my neck so I HOPE things feel good tomorrow!
Monday, December 12, 2011
another good ride and an alternative holiday "shopping" opportunity
Keil Bay and I had another good ride today. Some of the ride we had two little donkeys alongside and some of the ride we were trailed by a pony and his girl. I have a twinging something or other in my hip but also have the chiropractor and a massage on Wednesday so hopefully will be back to normal by that afternoon.
I was in the barn tonight with six happy equines munching on organic hay, drinking clean water in clean stalls, with full feed bins in our feed room. To be honest I didn't think too much about the hay or the feed or the clean water. We take that for granted most of the time. I did consider as I often do that we have loving horses here who are truly loved in return - and I know that the relationships we have with these gracious, beautiful equines brings happiness to our lives. I hope these relationships offer the same happiness to them.
In that moment of noting how much I get from my horses and also how much I enjoy giving to them of my time and resources, I can't say I really thought much right then about horses who don't have the kind of home we provide.
Tonight I found an email in my box from Raymond and Paula Petterson, the creators and owners of Whinny Warmers. I've posted here about their winter and summer socks for horses and how much we love them. I've also posted about their company and how committed they are to helping horses. It is sadly a rare thing for a company that makes products for horses to give back freely to the very animals who make their businesses possible. Raymond and Paula do.
The following email is typical of their care and consideration for equines. And as it happened, I was just getting ready to put up another holiday shopping post when I read it. It occurred to me that this in fact is a holiday shopping opportunity - to help a small, family-owned horse rescue that appears to be the only one in the California county in which they live.
From Raymond and Paula:
Dear friends, I've sent this out to a special few of you, those that I figure might be open to helping me out on something important. I'm not one to ask for much and I hope you will consider this request for help to a deserving horse rescue group out in California. Read their letter to us which is below mine.
http://www.equinerescueoutakuntrol.com/custom4.html
This horse rescue put out a "help" request on FB last week and Sox for Horses, Inc. was the one single response they got. We know things are tough for everyone, but when we get a request for help from a rescue, and they aren't all that common given how many rescues there are out there, we stop, give them our attention, check them out, and send them money or socks for horses that they can auction off at their next fundraiser. Of course it's all tax deductible for our business, but then again, Sox For Horses, Inc. is all about helping horses so it fits. We've had an incredible year and to share our success we sent them $75.00 which to us seems like a drop in the bucket for these people, but we knew when combined with others responding, it would add up. It didn't add up for them!
Please consider going to their website and donating a few bucks. We all can't do it every day or even every week but I hope you will consider adopting a horse rescue and giving a little every month. You can't change the world, but you can change the world for that horse. Lets see if combined, we can make a difference for these good people and the horses they've given comfort to. I will also give them plenty of connections so that they can learn how to successfully fundraise as many rescues do but in the meantime, while we get them all trained up on marketing...send a little money.
Thank you! Have a wonderful holiday season and Merry Christmas!
Raymond and Paula
the letter from the rescue:
Hello Mr. Peterson, This is Al angulo, I'am the VP of ERO and do all marketing/fundraising. The socks you sent are amazing. I would like to tell you a few things about us, us meaning my wife and President, Christine angulo and Ally my 15 yr old daughter and my 13 yr old son Drew. My wife started rescue over 15 yrs ago and in 2009 became a non profit org. Thinking that we could offset the cost associated with rescue thru donations. While I worked as a union Laborer building highways I was away 5 days a week living in a fifth wheel and home on weekends. well long story short we have funded this rescue and have done great things for our community. we are the only approved rescue for fostering horses confiscated from abuse until a court decides their fate, all with no help from the county or people of kern co. but that's ok it is our passion to help and fight abuse. 13 months ago I was laid off. so I took this time to concentrate on fundraising for this rescue. Mr Peterson can I tell you this is the toughest task I have ever tackled. You are A Angel to this rescue, you need to know, my wife sent out emails pleading for a little help and you are the only one that has helped. You also need to know today was the day I needed it most as we were out of senior feed for tonight's feeding, your donation has brought tears to my eyes and I;m so grateful I cannot thank you enough for this. my wife is on her way to tractor supply in town (a 100 mile round trip) for the much needed senior feed. I have been selling mistletoe on ebay for the rescue. You are the second person this year that has sent this rescue a donation. the third person their donation check bounced and caused all kinds of other problems. my kids do alot of work here and this is a family run rescue. the kids dont expect much they know things are tight. I wish more people were as thoughtful as you are. If at anytime you need anything in California please know that you can count on us for help. well I need to end this please understand I am so thankful. Your timing was great. from my family to yours have a great holiday season. I,m sorry for rambling on i don't mean to bother you. but thanks for listening. you will hear from us and get some pictures. Thank You again, You are so kind, Al Angulo.
Christine Angulo,
CEO Equine Rescue Outakuntrol
PO Box 102
Caliente, Ca. 93518
661-867-2508
equinerescueoutakuntrol.org
I haven't personally done any research to check this rescue out. I went to the website, looked it over thoroughly, and I read Raymond and Paula's note. It sounds like they have subsisted without much help in the way of donations and so I'm offering the information here so that anyone who wants to pitch in can do so.
GO HERE to donate. You can look at the facility photos, check their contact page for nonprofit info and service provider info (vet and farrier), and decide if you feel they could use some support.
All of us who live with horses know firsthand the expense it entails to feed them, shelter them, and maintain basic care and maintenance. Those who do rescue and do it well are always in need of our support to keep things going.
There are many rescues out there and even if you choose not to support this particular one, consider finding one you can support and instead of one gift, send a donation for the horses and donkeys who haven't been as fortunate as yours or ours have.
Thanks so much!
I was in the barn tonight with six happy equines munching on organic hay, drinking clean water in clean stalls, with full feed bins in our feed room. To be honest I didn't think too much about the hay or the feed or the clean water. We take that for granted most of the time. I did consider as I often do that we have loving horses here who are truly loved in return - and I know that the relationships we have with these gracious, beautiful equines brings happiness to our lives. I hope these relationships offer the same happiness to them.
In that moment of noting how much I get from my horses and also how much I enjoy giving to them of my time and resources, I can't say I really thought much right then about horses who don't have the kind of home we provide.
Tonight I found an email in my box from Raymond and Paula Petterson, the creators and owners of Whinny Warmers. I've posted here about their winter and summer socks for horses and how much we love them. I've also posted about their company and how committed they are to helping horses. It is sadly a rare thing for a company that makes products for horses to give back freely to the very animals who make their businesses possible. Raymond and Paula do.
The following email is typical of their care and consideration for equines. And as it happened, I was just getting ready to put up another holiday shopping post when I read it. It occurred to me that this in fact is a holiday shopping opportunity - to help a small, family-owned horse rescue that appears to be the only one in the California county in which they live.
From Raymond and Paula:
Dear friends, I've sent this out to a special few of you, those that I figure might be open to helping me out on something important. I'm not one to ask for much and I hope you will consider this request for help to a deserving horse rescue group out in California. Read their letter to us which is below mine.
This horse rescue put out a "help" request on FB last week and Sox for Horses, Inc. was the one single response they got. We know things are tough for everyone, but when we get a request for help from a rescue, and they aren't all that common given how many rescues there are out there, we stop, give them our attention, check them out, and send them money or socks for horses that they can auction off at their next fundraiser. Of course it's all tax deductible for our business, but then again, Sox For Horses, Inc. is all about helping horses so it fits. We've had an incredible year and to share our success we sent them $75.00 which to us seems like a drop in the bucket for these people, but we knew when combined with others responding, it would add up. It didn't add up for them!
Please consider going to their website and donating a few bucks. We all can't do it every day or even every week but I hope you will consider adopting a horse rescue and giving a little every month. You can't change the world, but you can change the world for that horse. Lets see if combined, we can make a difference for these good people and the horses they've given comfort to. I will also give them plenty of connections so that they can learn how to successfully fundraise as many rescues do but in the meantime, while we get them all trained up on marketing...send a little money.
Thank you! Have a wonderful holiday season and Merry Christmas!
Raymond and Paula
the letter from the rescue:
Hello Mr. Peterson, This is Al angulo, I'am the VP of ERO and do all marketing/fundraising. The socks you sent are amazing. I would like to tell you a few things about us, us meaning my wife and President, Christine angulo and Ally my 15 yr old daughter and my 13 yr old son Drew. My wife started rescue over 15 yrs ago and in 2009 became a non profit org. Thinking that we could offset the cost associated with rescue thru donations. While I worked as a union Laborer building highways I was away 5 days a week living in a fifth wheel and home on weekends. well long story short we have funded this rescue and have done great things for our community. we are the only approved rescue for fostering horses confiscated from abuse until a court decides their fate, all with no help from the county or people of kern co. but that's ok it is our passion to help and fight abuse. 13 months ago I was laid off. so I took this time to concentrate on fundraising for this rescue. Mr Peterson can I tell you this is the toughest task I have ever tackled. You are A Angel to this rescue, you need to know, my wife sent out emails pleading for a little help and you are the only one that has helped. You also need to know today was the day I needed it most as we were out of senior feed for tonight's feeding, your donation has brought tears to my eyes and I;m so grateful I cannot thank you enough for this. my wife is on her way to tractor supply in town (a 100 mile round trip) for the much needed senior feed. I have been selling mistletoe on ebay for the rescue. You are the second person this year that has sent this rescue a donation. the third person their donation check bounced and caused all kinds of other problems. my kids do alot of work here and this is a family run rescue. the kids dont expect much they know things are tight. I wish more people were as thoughtful as you are. If at anytime you need anything in California please know that you can count on us for help. well I need to end this please understand I am so thankful. Your timing was great. from my family to yours have a great holiday season. I,m sorry for rambling on i don't mean to bother you. but thanks for listening. you will hear from us and get some pictures. Thank You again, You are so kind, Al Angulo.
Christine Angulo,
CEO Equine Rescue Outakuntrol
PO Box 102
Caliente, Ca. 93518
661-867-2508
equinerescueoutakuntrol.org
I haven't personally done any research to check this rescue out. I went to the website, looked it over thoroughly, and I read Raymond and Paula's note. It sounds like they have subsisted without much help in the way of donations and so I'm offering the information here so that anyone who wants to pitch in can do so.
GO HERE to donate. You can look at the facility photos, check their contact page for nonprofit info and service provider info (vet and farrier), and decide if you feel they could use some support.
All of us who live with horses know firsthand the expense it entails to feed them, shelter them, and maintain basic care and maintenance. Those who do rescue and do it well are always in need of our support to keep things going.
There are many rescues out there and even if you choose not to support this particular one, consider finding one you can support and instead of one gift, send a donation for the horses and donkeys who haven't been as fortunate as yours or ours have.
Thanks so much!
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