Lesson Learned- the hard way

After the big morning race yesterday, Trax and Sassy ran into the same pen. Usually Trax does not care to go in with Sassy, even with food. I made the mistake of leaving him in with her.  It seemed as though it was where he wanted to be.  I quit putting him in with anybody except Danny because he gets picked on constantly.  I should have moved him yesterday morning.....somedays I just don't think.

This is what I came home to yesterday after work.
Obviously he caught it on a T-post.  I hate those things.  I keep saying I'm going to go get caps for them all until I can put up pole fence.  I am guilty of procrastinating and poor Trax paid the price for it.


I had gone down to halter him, I was going to do a little round pen work with him.  I didn't even get the halter on when I saw this lovely gash.
I was pretty sure it was only skin deep, but as you can see it was already swollen and oozing. 

There is really only one equine vet in Casper.  I don't care for that hospital, and since it was afterhours I knew the extra charge would be really high.

I opted to call a different vet out in Glenrock.  Crossroads Animal Hospital.  A couple of younger gals are the resident Vets.  They may be younger, but I have full confidence in their skills.  I have used them several times before.   Fortunalty one of the vets was still there, she said to come on down.  I got him loaded up and made the 30 min trip to get him stitched up.

I have to brag a little.....When we first got there he walked into the bay door, and up to the shute.  He decided he didn't like it and backed all the out, taking me with him.  The vet grabbed a training stick, I told her, "We should not need that."  I asked him to step away from me sideways about ten steps.  He did so without any hesitation at all.  Crossing his feet just like I wanted.  Then I told him, to follow me into the shute, he walked right in.  I was damn proud of him and that vet was very impressed.  Its amazing what a little reminder of "I can always move your feet" can do.

She got him cleaned up, gave him a nice little coctail, and got him sewed up pretty quickly.  As you can see in the picture he was getting a little droopy.  One shot of Pennecillian and some "Scarlet Oil" and a little Bute, and he was ready to go.  Well not quite, we had to walk him around a little to wake him up some.  I was sort of afraid he would fall over in the trailer, but he didn't.  We got him home safe and sound and put him away with some dinner in the round pen.

This one I took this morning, after hosing it off real good.  He didn't care for that part.  I guess that well water is pretty darn cold.  He was shivering from it. As you can see she stitched it pretty loosely so that it can continue to drain.  Not sure I care for that big pocket of fluid that is buidling up down below. But for now will just keep an eye on it.  He will get another shot of Pennicillian this evening.

Sprayed with the Scarlet oil again....I had never heard of it before so I took a picture of the bottle, has anyone else ever used it?

Normally for wounds I use a cream called Nature's Edge, but the vet said that a cream could goop up and keep it from draining.  This is a natural fly repellant plus anticeptic that doesn't get goopy.

This is his "I don't think we are friends anymore" look.  He is not a big fan of hoses, or of people messing with his "owies". The fact that I insisted on both this morning has him a little upset with me.

A nice picture of Killian with the sun shining on him.  I am not happy with what he and Sassy have done to walls of my stalls. Gotta get those replaced before winter comes.  What do you guys think of his weight?  He has lost a ton since I got him (he looked pregnant when he came to my house), so to me he looks great, but some people say he is still heavy. 

I think Sassy could stand to lose a few pounds.  What do you think?

This guy could definitly stand to lose some weight....he still has that - I don't trust you now, look.

So all in all it wasn't a great thing to come home to and I am sorry that he had to get hurt for me to quit procrastinating.  I consider myself very lucky, as it could have been much worse.  One thing is for sure, I am going to have to take a break from riding for a while, so I will have more time to devote to getting my pens safer, and getting started on Danny's rehab.  With Trax's wound, Sassy's broken coffin bone, Killians chipped up sore hooves, and Danny's Stringhalt, I'm out of horses to ride anyway.   I kind of feel like I am a lousy horse owner, even though I spend alot of money and as much time as I can,  trying to make sure they are cared for properly. I keep them up to dates on shots worming and trimming.  I make a point of spending at the very minimum a few minutes a day just looking everyone over for any new issues, even if I don't have time to work with them or ride that day. (two jobs, 2 kids and a boyfriend take up a lot of time) I watch food intake and  I am not afraid to call a vet if needed, I try to keep the habitat safe (obviously need to work harder on that).  Sometimes it seems like it just isn't enough.





Early Morning Race

These were taken after the chores were done.  I do not care to
take a very expensive camera out to shovel poop!

I went out this morning to clean the pens, and was swept up by how gorgeous it was. There was a light easy breeze, a few clouds but not overcast.
The ponies were not thrilled that I came out empty handed.  They do not seem to appreciate my efforts to keep the pens manure and fly free.  since the wind was minor I let Killian out and kept Sassy in with me, but did not chain the gate.....big mistake on my part.
The next thing I know Sassy is out the gate.  She started off just grazing which was fine and I figured that since she was just grazing I'd leave her be.  2nd big mistake!


One of the pastures, pens down below

Suddenly I hear thundering hooves, and squeals and farts (yes farts).  There they all were, racing as fast as they could go around the pasture!!!  I ran out after them, "STOP!!!"  3rd big mistake!!!  This only fuel the fire and I watched my mare with the chipped coffin bone....(the one my vet just told me, "If she isn't limping a little more exercise is good, but I wouldn't have her running any races.")...race as fast as she could go (3 steps to Killian's 1) from one end to the other, coming into a sliding stop at the dog yard, landing hard on, yep you guessed it, her front feet!!!!



Gorgeous sky over the other neighbors house

She took back off again, threw a flying cow kick toward Trax which sent him off in the opposite direction. She was twisting and jumping and racing in circles, by now Killian was over it and had started grazing.  Trax was still racing. He is always ready for a good romp if he can find someone to romp with!




I finally came to my senses and ran up to grab breakfast.  Danny usually gets fed first, so he was unhappy that he was pushed aside.  I ran back down with my bucket of hay cubes, went through the gate and here they came.  I swear I thought Trax was gonna hit me at full speed!  He was headed straight for me as fast as he could come, I set down the bucket and did my "OFF ME!" move and about ten feet from me he did a sudden swerve to the left and slid to a stop. They all came and stood in front of me, I gave them each one bite then headed to the pens.  They got a little pushy so we did a lot of stopping and backing up as we made our way across the pasture.  They know better than to follow to close.  Good way to get a training stick in the chest!  Crises averted I got everyone fed in their prospective areas, got the pens cleaned and then ran in to get my camera. 



Danny finally got his breakfast, that is Casper Mountain off
in the distance, and if you look closely you can see the smelly
swamp/pond just past Danny.  I hate the way it smells but it provides
me with pasture so I will deal with it!

Now for my secret confession:  I really enjoyed watching my girl kick up her heels and have some fun.  She is small but soooo athletic.  I have always enjoyed watching her move. She has been in confinement since April, and I'm sure she was having a blast this morning. I kind of wish I had, had the camera with me.  I look forward to the day when she is healed and we can really start her training again.  Of course today I will round pen her to determine is she is limping again......lets keep out fingers crossed!

SOFT EYES; DRY HOOVES;AND STALKERS

This morning I had a minute to take a couple of pictures before I got ready for work.
It was so nice outside, I would have much rather called in "well" and stayed home with the herd.

 Sassy was nice enough to pose for this lovely picture.  She has always had such a soft eye.

 "Hey Lady...where's our breakfast?"

"Quit messing around with that silly little machine in your hand and get us some food!"

I had another good look at Killian's poor dried up hooves. 
They are just awful, despite the treatments he gets.
The only thing I take comfort in is that if you click on the picture and look closely you can see where he has good healthy growth above all those dry icky cracks.  Its amazing what a good diet can do for a horse.

I am glad I have the farrier coming out tomorrow. 
I'm sure this cannot be comfortable for him.
Although they have chipped down so short I don't know that he will get much relief for a while.
I'm sure he will enjoy the break from being ridden.
He is so lazy!!

I had a stalker this morning......
I took this picture over my shoulder.
He thought I didn't know he was back there. 
Notice how non-chalante he is, pretending like he could care less that I am there.

Then I turned around...
"Aw crap she saw me!"

Here he is PROVING to me that he could care less if I exist!

"Nope Nope, not following you, just back here fighting flies.  I didn't even realize you were out here."

"But hey, since you are here.....

I don't suppose you have any thing to eat with

you, do ya????"

Well that's all for now my friends....until we meet again....ride west!



Just when you think you know......

Saturday morning in the "Arena"

Just when you think you know your horse and what he is going to do he completely blows your mind by doing something you never saw coming!

Saturday morning we took Trax and Killian down to my friend arena (which is badly in need of some dragging) so that Trax and I could work on stopping and Killian could just get some exercise.  Tom went along to operate the camera. 

I learned a very valuable lesson that day!  If you are going to let a man (a very non-techno man) operate the camera, ya better show him how first!  I was really hoping for a ton of pictures, so I could pull a few good ones out, and trash the bad ones.  He took about 10 and none of them are very good.  I can't blame him though, after all he is just a mere male! lol

This is the fastest we got Killian to go.  Not much exercise but
probably for the best considering the condition of his hooves.

The plan for getting Killian some serious exercise kind of fell by the way side.  His feet are just falling apart, hoof wall chipping away in large chunks. So taking it easy on him was the best plan.  Plus Simon fell off of him a few months back and has been a little nervous ever since. He is a big horse and it is a long drop!  I have a trimmer coming Friday to see if we can give Killian some relief, but between the drought and poor condition of his hooves when we got him 6 months ago, I don't know what can be done.  I had the same problem with Trax too when we got him. But his "bad areas" are almost completely grown out now and his hooves are Strong and healthy.  Killian has good strong hoof wall about 1/2 way down but the below that is dry, rippled, and cracked.

Ah but I digress.  This is supposed to be about the ride and Trax and his bag of tricks!

As you can see by this picture, Where I am asking for a stop my timing is completely off.  I believe that timing is my biggest problem with him.  I guess I need a coach who can watch me and say, "now" so I can learn how the right time feels.  To me it seems as though he is trying to give it to me, but if I ask when he is coming down on his front, it is a jarring stop, uncomfortable for us all.  I need to ask for it when his weight is forward, legs out behind so he can pull those feet up underneath and stop.

There are 3 big paint horses that live where we were riding.  They thought the whole thing was quite interesting as you can see.  These horses are huge!  I guess the owner uses them for polo.

This stop was slightly better, but again I think my timing was a little off.  Also I can see that his head is going up when it needs to go down.  Perhaps this is a by product of his formet life as a barrel horse and roping horse. Ride really fast and stop really hard, head high, no one cares. Sometimes I wonder if it seems like he is trying to give it to me only because it is less of a fight with the hackamore more than it was with the snaffle.

Not a very good picture of backing up.  It was the first time of the morning and he always fights a little the first time.  He had just dropped his head in this picture. Hmmmmm, I see where part of my problem is now. Note where my hands are int he picture above.  I am pulling up high and his head is up high.  I get a lot of Larry Trocha (reining/cutting horse trainer) DVDs and newsletters.  He talks alot of muscle memory, I can see I have an issue with this.  Perhaps if I can lower my hands when I ask for that sop, AND ask at the right time I can get a nice sliding stop out of him.

Now comes the "Bag of tricks" part.  Right after this picture was taken, I decided to do a barrel pattern on him. We were not at full speed by any means, but man he turns so sharp it is almost scary for me!  We did not have any barrels out there, so we just used imaginary ones.  We did the first turn just fine, went to the second (over by this same fence line) and instead of making the full turn he went about half way and then started to BUCK!!! He got in about 4 good ones before I get his head back up.  He did not dump me, I doubt he was trying that hard, I have seen him really buck and he could easily face plant me if he wanted too!  I was so blown away!  He has never really done that before.  One crow hop once when he was mad.  I only wish Tom had been ready at the camera.  Would have made some great pics for sure!

So of course we had to do a few more patterns. He did not try it again, and to this day I have no clue as to why.  The bugs were terrible that day so maybe he got stung, maybe the pattern triggered some bad memories, maybe it was the rabbit that ran out right before....I really just don't know.  This picture is of the end of the final run.  I am sure that in his day he was a great barrel horse.  I would love to have someone who runs barrels take him out so I could see what he can really do. 

This is where Simon and I were playing follow the leader.  Doesn't Killian remind you of Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh?  "Oh   my, I   can't   go   very   fast,   I   can't   believe   you   are   making   me   do   this"

I had to cut the ride short, as Tom had to go and we only had one vehicle.  Hopefully this week I can get some more time in and see what Trax's issue really was.

Take care everyone.








More Information on Managing Stringhalt

I spend so much of my not so free time on the Internet scouring for any new or different information on Stringhalt. As I watch my sweet old guy Danny deteriorate right before my very eyes, I know that there has to be people out there dealing with, wondering, and learning about the things I need to know. 

If I am on the phone at work and get put on terminal hold, I head right to my search page and keep on with the old "point and click" Once I learned what "alt/tab" could do for me I was in like flynn!

Anyway through much eye rubbing and squinting at my screen I found a website of a lameness clinic, and they had actually done a case study on an old horse like mine who was recommended to be put down due to the severity of his stringhalt.  I wish I could find it again (must remember to book mark these pages) so I could share it here, but alas, that part was not to be. 

He sure is handsome for an old guy, wish I had seen that water spot on
my lens before I took the picture.

BUT what I learned is that they took a horse like mine and treated him (without surgery) and he went on to live until he was 30 when he was put down for heart failure.  They even used him for lessons and jumping and other events.  They showed after pictures, but no real before pictures.  I found the link to contact them and so sent an email.  I got a response this morning and this is what she said.

Hi Cindy,

I am not a veterinarian therefore cannot diagnose, treat nor prescribe.  If you have an issue with your horse contact your licensed veterinarian.  

I will tell you what was done with the case study on my website.

Vet ruled out any neurologic disease; EPM, did complete blood panel.  Checked for any tick born illnesses.  Once the horse had a clean bill of health from the vet, I called out the acupuncture vet.  She performed acupuncture several times and put the horse on a muscle strengthening and stretching program.

The hooves had a proper barefoot trim, rolled the toes from the bottom for ease of break over.  Hooves treated for thrush.

The horse was put into full time work, long low frame, tons of trail riding.  If the work was decreased the string halt got worse.  

Made sure the horses tack also fit properly.  A saddle that does not fit can make the back muscles and hind end sore.

The horse was put onto a good vitamin and mineral supplement, and extra vitamin E for some time.  I had heard that a vitamin E deficiency can cause problems with the muscles contracting and releasing/neurologic issues, and could have a positive effect on string halt horses.  Horse was fed plain oats, grass hay, vitamin/mineral supplements.  

Horse never kept in a stall.  Outside 24/7.

The horse on my website did not have a before rehab video.  I acquired the horse before I documented every thing I do around here.  The horse had string halt in both hind legs and was going to be put down.  He was an old horse when we got him.  We had him euthanized many years after we got him, when he was 30 due to mitral heart valve failure. 

Sincerely,

Sheri

SO....this may not seem like much but really it is.  I have just been letting Danny be, no real exercise except for what he chose to do himself, and in the last year or so he has really begun having problems with foot placement, stepping on his own feet etc.  I can see now that I need to get him back on a regular exercise program.  We will start with the round pen and go from there.

 (gotta get him back in the right mindset before we ride)

I would really love to know what the muscle stretching exercises were though.

I also ran across another website where someone is actually looking for horses with stringhalt and shivers to gather data with.  There was a whole questionnaire to fill out which of course I did.  I am hoping to get a response from that as well.  I have tried acupuncture on him, but it just got to be so expensive I couldn't keep up with the bill anymore and had to quit.  If we could have done it once or twice a month instead of 3 times a week, well that I could have afforded. 

Some days it sucks having to live within my means!

Well that is all for now....... Ride safely my friends!

UPDATE!!!!

I got another email today....more good information and a boost of confidence.

don't give up.  My 23 year old show horse has it.  His was from an injury.  He slipped on the ice, went flying with his leg caught under his body weight.  When he got up, he could not use the leg.  When the leg was better he had a really bad case of string halt.  The acupuncture vet came out and treated him.  I would also stretch his leg straight back (like he was kicking out) and forward.  Lots of walking up and down hills help out too.  As far as the acupuncture goes, I have a vet that is from Korea, she is the real thing when it comes to Eastern medicine.  In my opinion, if the vet just goes for weekend continuing education course to learn how to perform acupuncture they will not be very good at it.  My vet only does eastern medicine on the horses, she also prescribes custom blended herbs.  

This was 7 years ago.  He is kept into full time work.  Last summer he won a top ten in the sport horse in hand class at nationals, not to mention region champion and many class A wins.  This is a class where the horse is judged on movement and conformation.  We will be leaving for nationals with him in a little over a week.

Good luck,

Sheri

The Chances of me finding a real acupuncturist in this sate are about slim to none, its hard to even find a a decent farrier, and good vets are even a little slim pickins out here.  But now I have a starting point.  I am so happy about that!

The "6 pack", Dog Days of Summer

How many dogs does it take to make a pack?  Does anyone know what the official number is?  I know I don't but I think we are getting close at my house!!  Here, let me explain.

I come from a family of Labrador breeders, so of course, I have labs....3 of them.   They are big dogs, about 110 pounds a piece.  Well one is smaller, that would be Butch the rescue lab, he is only 75 lbs. My house is not huge so 3 big dogs is a lot. We go through a lot of kibble, boxes and boxes of cookies, and bags and bags of "beggin strips" (they love those things)


This is Mason- AKA Hyspire Secret Society
Here he is doing what he does best second only to eating!

Two of my dogs, the big ones came from my family's kennel. (feel free to check out their website at hyspire.com)  They were going to be great show dogs, champions for sure! But my mom, being a very conscientious breeder, only breeds and shows the very best of her dogs.  They are all checked for any genetic defects, bad hips, elbows, eyes, heart defects, anything that could be a detriment to the breed is tested for.  Occasionally a very near perfect dog has a minor defect, and therefor must go to a pet home.  I have two of those dogs.  The first one I got was Mason.  He is, as you can see a big handsome lovable yellow lab.  He tends to lean towards the over weight side.  We have to watch his food intake carefully.  His defect still has not been clearly identified, although we are all leaning towards something neurological.  He is hard of hearing, cannot swim (flips upside down in the water) and although not stupid- not all there either.  Since my mom couldn't guarantee it wasn't genetic she chose not to show or breed him.  Now he is mine.  We love him dearly.


Mason before his diet- he looks much better now.

The next dog we got was Smarty, he is also drop dead gorgeous, actually more conformationally correct than Mason.  Smarty was all set to be sold to another very good breeder, but had to have his heart checked first.  As it turned out he had a very minor heart defect.  That is genetic, and although completely undetectable without a special machine, it excluded him from entering the gene pool.  We were lucky enough to get to bring him home. 



Hyspire Mr. Smarty Pants- "Smarty"



 Smarty is some kind of special. He is the stealer of stuffed animals, the pillow pet assassin, he is a hoarder. He finds things and takes them to his "secret place". He thinks he is a lap dog. He is about 3 now but still so much a puppy at heart. For a dog with a heart defect, he has the biggest heart of any dog I have ever known.  The other night when I was up all night with a nasty bladder infection.  My sweet Smarty stayed by my side all night.  The other dogs were off sleeping, but not the black dog.

The third addition to the family was Butch.  One day my dogs got out of the yard.  The pound picked up Mason (Smarty just went back home) and since he is microchipped, called me immediately.  When I was at the pound walking through to find where they had my convict dog, I saw this face.....



This is Butch

Yeah, that face.  How can you resist that face.  They tried to tell he he was five.  If that dog is 5 I am 20.  It is hard for and old dog to get adopted, so I knew I had to step in and bring him home.  It was a little touch and go at first, he did not get along with the other dogs.  He was especially mean to Smarty and I was constantly having to break up fights.  Finally one day I saw him barking and growling in Smartys face who was not retaliating, and I just went out and let Butch have it!!!  I made it very clear to him that aggression is not tolerated, and it has never been a problem since.  I guess he just needed to know the rules.  Now they all get along just great!

Butch is wicked smart, super well trained.  I cannot imagine how no body went to look for him.  I often wonder what his life was like before.  He has severe elbow displaysia and many broken teeth, but a wonderful attitude, and full of energy.  His nick name is "Mr. Butchinson Sir"  He is old enough to demand respect!

Mason losing his first game of tug of war

Yesterday a friend dropped off his two dogs they are Dakota, a female chocolate lab (spayed thank goodness as all my boys are still intact)  and Jr. Mint, who is Border Collie mix of some kind.  Jr Mint is still a puppy.  She only has one eye.  She was kicked in the head by a horse (not mine) and lost the eye.  Its still in there, but it doesn't work.



 Dakota, Mason, and Smarty (cookie time)

This is Jr. Mint- she is quite the character!

Jr. Mint spends all, and I do mean all of her time terrorizing the other dogs.  She bites their butts, she jumps on them she chases them, she steals their toys, pulls on their tails.  The only one she sort of leaves alone is Mason.  He has given her a couple of good growls to warn her to leave him alone.  Dakota, ever the mom puts up with her, and really plays well with her. Smarty seems to enjoy her too.  They will be staying till Sunday.   5 dogs is really alot for our house, but we make it work and since the weather is nice they spend a good portion of time outside. 

I cannot tell the story of the dog pack with out adding the one who is no longer with us. 



Dugan

Dugan was Tom's faithful companion for 11 years.  He was by far one of the smartest dogs I have ever met.  He loved Tom dearly and of course it was reciprocated.  Dugan went everywhere with Tom, to work, to the store, to chase truck parts, everywhere.  Last summer we came home to find blood on the front porch.  He had left Dugan home that day because riding in the pick up was becoming hard on his old bones. When we examined him we found he had been bit by a snake.  We rushed him to the vet, who was surprised that he was even still alive.  But in fact he was alert and walking around.  Just a little swollen in the nose.  He was given fluids and antibiotics.  He seemed to recover although not totally. 2 weeks later, he started having trouble breathing.  We took him back in but it was too late.  He died of pneumonia the next day.  It was a hard day for all of is,  and we still miss him.

So there is the story of the "6 pack" in my herd.  I think it is amazing that prey animals and predators can actually learn to co-exist peacefully.  My dogs and horses often share the same yard (hey free lawn mowers ya know)  There is never any issue.

Oh and one more thing....do you know why dogs wag their tails?

It is not because they are happy, it is so they can be happy!

If you don't believe me stop what you are doing (reading) and stand up and wag your tail.

Guaranteed to make you smile!!!!

The Ups and Downs of Herd Dynamics

Killian his first day with the herd, just standing there minding his own business.

I have always been fascinated by how the horses in a herd (in this case MY herd) move up and down the totem pole.   I ran across these pictures of the day that we brought Killian home. We gave them some time over the fence and then decided to let them together to sort things out.  Danny was pretty much top horse but he is not an aggressive horse so he had no problem with the new addition. Sassy had been having fun pushing Trax around for a while so she was certainly second in line. Trax, for some reason is perfectly happy being bottom of the ladder.  He is the last one to eat, and can be pushed away from any feeder easily.  He could care less about mares in heat, he just wants to be left alone. 

Uh Oh, Sassy has just spied the intruder



She is headed over to give him a piece of her mind.
Note Trax in the back watching with interest.

Oh yeah she is not happy

"Hey You Big red horse- get the heck out of here!"

"Thats right- don't mess with the mare"

"Can I go back over there please?"

Interestingly enough, it has all changed out there.  Once Sassy realized that she could not get rid of him, he settled in nicely.  I was able to put all the horses together with out any issue at all. Danny still ate first, sharing only with Sassy, and everyone else fell into their places.  Somewhere along the line, and I am not even sure when, Killian took over.  When spring came and we finally had pasture I started separating and rotating horses. Sassy hurt her foot and was put into confinement.  I moved Danny to his own pasture so he could have plenty to eat and in just a couple of month of him being on his own, he and Killian have become enemies.  One day I opened the gate between pastures and let everyone have free run of both pastures.  The next thing I knew I saw Killian going after Danny, and GETTING him.  He was all bit up, so I separated them.  The next day I saw that Danny had a huge gash on his rear Stifle.  He couldn't even walk right.  Now I see the two of them fence fighting constantly, and the worst part is that Danny tries to start most of the fights!  The problem there is that he can't kick or run fast due to the stringhalt so he gets hurt everytime.  So now its Killian on top and then Sassy, Danny I guess would be third and poor Trax is still at the bottom.  I think he likes it there best though.

I can leave Killian and Trax in a pasture together without issue.  But if I pen them up, Killian spends the the entire time chasing Trax around and biting the crap out of him.  I can pen up Sassy and Trax and they do fine until feeding time, then she gets bossy. I can always put Trax with Danny but since Danny will share food with him and he eats slower than Trax, he gets thin and Trax gets huge!  It is quite the dilemna having to figure out who to put where these days.  I suspect if I didn't have a mare so ready to be bred all the time, it would be different, but  I won't get rid of her so for now we play musical horses. Winter will be interesting though because I can only get water and electricity to certain areas so penning will not be possible.



So I would like to know about your herds, who is on top, the mares or the geldings? 



The whole herd- Note Danny's Stringhalt leg