Horse Talk: Bits, pieces and a farewell to Jane Savoie
As usual, my old-year-new-year transitions weren’t very smooth because I am not organized.
My days include trips to the barn to be with the horse. I clean the stall and dump the contents in the small arena on the north end of the property. The barn staff handles dragging the muck, so all I have to do is empty the cart.
I bought a bucket water heater recently to prepare warm mashes, probably this weekend, since we’re due for rain and cold temperatures. EQUUS Extra editors published an article about the way to provide a comforting “warm mash” for your horse, and surprised me with the recommendation to steer away from the usual “bran mash-based” offering.
Horse Talk: The lowdown on sugary treats for horses at Christmas
Victorville Daily Press
Huey was born in Kentucky and spent time on the track here in Southern California. In that environment, peppermints are the go-to treat for thoroughbreds. His time from weaning to retirement, however, was short enough that he did not develop a mint craving until a few years ago.
I like soft peppermints myself and have put them in his goody buckets for years. At first, if I fed them to Huey, he would spit them out unless they had already dissolved in his mouth.
He spit out apples, too, positive I was trying to poison him. I think this was because a dose of bute paste, which is very bitter, was accompanied by apple slices.