Montgomery County Animal Shelter

Dog Pound Story from David Goldberg on Vimeo.

This video was created as a group project to bring attention to the animal population in Montgomery County.

A Moment of Respect

I would like to take a moment today (now that all the fuss has calmed down) to pay respect to Zenyatta. Finishing her racing career with a phenominal record of 19-1. Zenyatta, you've left a legacy.

Thank you "To The Wire, LTD" for use of the image.

An Interview with Reining Breeder & Trainer, Steve Worman

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In this podcast, I interview reining horse breeder and trainer, Steve Worman, at his farm.

Worman explains a few secrets to the trade about what kinds of reining horses make the best athletes. In addition, he looks back on his career in reining and some of the great horses he has owned.

A special thanks to Bert Jerred for his song In the Name of Love. This song was obtained legally on Jamendo.

Let's Talk Etiquette

Tomorrow morning, the Virginia Tech Western Riders (myself included), will be leaving for Saint Andrews College in North Carolina for our first IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) show.  In the last few days, we have really talked a lot about etiquette, and the little things that will set you apart from the rest.

• OWN your pattern.  You should show respect to your judge, but don't stand there staring at him/her while he/she stares back.  If the judge has turned his/her attention from the last rider to you, take the initiative to start your pattern.  The same goes for the end.  You can turn slightly and nod to honor the judge's presence, but don't wait for the judge to nod you off.  Lastly on this point, if you are stuck with the task of completing the pattern first in the class, don't gripe or let it show that you wish it wasn't you.  OWN it.  Look like you are proud to set the standard.

• Take your TIME.  Although you don't want to procrastinate in your pattern, don't make the mistake of rushing it either.  This is something that can really set you up to win or lose a class.  When the pattern says halt... HALT.  STOP... completely.... and count to three.  You have to show that your horse can stop and stand.  Otherwise you never fully show the halt.  ESPECIALLY at the end of your pattern.  Don't make the mistake of not solidly finishing your pattern.  Halt at the end, and mean it!

• Give yourself (and others) ROOM.  Don't be one of those riders who people talk about on the sidelines.  When you walk into the ring, be conscious of where everyone is, and give yourself ample space.  You don't want someone riding up your butt, so don't do that to anyone else.  Also, ensure that you don't cut others off.  If you need to pass someone, leave enough room so that you don't mess the other person's ride up.  You may think that them messing up will help you, but if the judge sees you do it, he/she could place you last... if at all.

There are lots of little things that can help you solidify the blue ribbon against an equally talented team of horse and rider.  Keep these simple things in mind.  They can make all the difference!!

SHOW BLING: Are Glitz and Glam Still In??

The western world of show is one that many seek to learn, one that few completely conquer, and one that will never stop changing.

Rewind ten years. Typical western show rings on both local and national levels were filled with a craze of Hobby Horse. I have nothing against Hobby Horse (in fact they make many of my show shirts and my chaps), but they have certainly taken the industry by storm. I get their bright, crisp, and extremely user friendly catalogs regularly, and honestly, I am astonished at some of the tops that have become so popular.

The key to most Hobby Horse clothing, which is simply following a craze, is B-L-I-N-G. Another trend that is popping up is animal print. Bling and animal print are adorning world champions.

As much fun as these shiny shirts are, the question is worth considering... Is fashion changing?

Some think that Hobby Horse has a strangle hold on the shows and that their increasingly blingy tops are not a wave of the past, but a staple of the future. Others have a differing opinion.

After an IHSA show at St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, NC, one of the most respected female judges in the AQHA said it bluntly... She doesn't care about bling.

While western pleasure classes have earned notorious reputations for placing the most silver highest in the ribbons, she is sticking to her guns and pushing less shine, and more equine.

A nice show shirt (which will often still run you a pretty penny for quality apparel) and tasteful accessories show a nicer horsemanship package, and less of a runway show. This is what many of the breed certified judges are leaning toward.

Blingy blouses and shimmering jewelry are certainly still "all the rage," but fashion is also due for a shift. It could shift to the more ostentatious outfits that are starting to surface. But, the shift could be much more unexpected. If the right pair go out and win the world in a simple getup, what turn will fashion take?

A Not-So-Perfect Storm

As horse people, we all have underlying animosity toward storms. While some of us may enjoy the light show and soothing rumbles of thunder, storms are a very serious thing. Even if you are a horse person that is less concerned about your animals in the weather, the flooding and mud that these natural beasts bring are at the very least a nuisance.

This blog comes to you today, not only because I look out my window to see dark clouds and pouring rain, but from a sad story that is making its way around the nation via Facebook, twitter, Parelli, and news stations.

Enter Kali. She is a young girl from Colorado. Her two horses, Bio and Patchy, were struck by lightning and killed. Parelli has stepped up to the plate for the horse community and is helping Kali and her family search for a new horse. (Please visit Parelli's website for more information. Additionally, if anyone would like to help Kali, please get in touch with the right people through this site: www.shareparelli.com/node/7750 )

Now that I have the attention of those who were thinking to themselves, "Storms aren't great, but they aren't that bad for the horses," I will continue.

Lightning works in mysterious ways. Well, sort of. Actually, there are mountains of information about lightning and how it functions. While there is a science to lightning, (most of which my "comm major" mind can't understand), I like to think of the bolts of electricity like fire.

In the movie Backdraft, the fire inspector explains that fire is a live thing. It thinks, it behaves with a mind. While I understand that lightning does not have a brain, per say, the fire inspector continues that to kill it, you have to love it a little. While you can learn in the books that fire needs oxygen and functions in this way or that, there are some unexplainable parts to its behavior. I believe this is very true of lightning as well.

BUT, there are precautions that you can take to protect yourself, (and more importantly for some of us) your horses.

1) Watch the weather! People can be so anal about this in the winter when blanketing, but forget how important it is in the summer. Even though you are concerned with subzero overnight temperatures, you should be concerned about your horses overheating during the day, and getting caught with no shelter in a thunderstorm.

2) Plan! If you watch the weather and there is a possible chance of a severe thunderstorm, plan your attack. IF the storm is coming before feeding time and the horses are out, should you bring them in before, or wait? IF the storm is coming after feeding time and usually turn out at night, do you keep them in because of the chance? IF you put them out and the storm comes, are you going to be able to get them in safely? If you know you have to go to a dinner function and won't be back until 11 pm, it's probably a good idea to bring in/leave in, just in case. Better safe than sorry is cliche advice because it is good advice. If you're going to be sitting around the house, able to check the sky every so often, it may be worth while to let the 4-legged kids out for a few hours of grazing out of the heat of the day. All of these answers are things to consider when you make your game plan.

3) Execution! While some may think the execution of bringing in during a thunderstorm is easy, those of us who have brought in crazy horses, or a herd of horses, know sometimes the truth is otherwise. If you have an adequate plan, when the wind picks up and you hear thunder in the distance, your horses with be tucked safely away, or you will have your boots on and power-walking to the barn. A few bits of advice from experience: First, sometimes it takes longer to take shortcuts from your routine. Bringing in 7 horses at one time when you usually take 2 could end with you chasing horses around in a storm. Keep in mind, the entire purpose of this task is to protect your precious animals, not to put on a show for the neighbors. Second, bring a towel to the barn. You may think you can beat the rain, and perhaps you will. BUT, if you end up drenched and stranded in your barn, you'll probably want to dry off. Third, if you have herding dogs and you feel comfortable doing so, leave them in the house. The weather tends to make the horses and the dogs more... energetic... shall we say. Don't make more issues for yourself.

These simple things are often forgotten by horse owners. Above all else, a good and effective plan is important. If you have a plan of action, no matter what happens, you'll be ready.

For those who have boarding barns, keep in mind you are the responsible party. I know it is no fun cleaning 32 stalls in the morning when the summer is usually a feed-only morning schedule, but waking up to a boarders animal down in your field is much worse.

For those who don't have a barn (myself included), you need some sort of shelter for your horse. I have a huge run-in shelter where my mare can easily get out of the weather. I understand not having the commodities many people take for granted at big boarding barns, but it doesn't excuse your responsibility as an owner. Take precautions, and do the best you can.

Lightning is not a joke. It can be fun to watch, makes really pretty sculptures in sand, strikes metal and water easiest, and often kills when it comes into contact with a living thing. While you sit warm under a blanket watching a summer storm, keep in mind that your horses are confined to where you keep them. Be considerate. You'll never realize how much of a difference it makes, until the one time you decide not to, and then, you may never forgive yourself.

Photo courtesy of http://www.windsun.com/

Ticks of the Trade

The Common Horse Tick

Welcome back everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't blogged in so long. As many of my followers know, I am a college student, and I have been very busy with school, work, and free lance work! All good news!

Today, let's talk about ticks of the trade!

As many of you know from first hand experience, ticks were extremely bad this year. If there's one thing I can't stand more than a deer fly, it's a practically microscopic blood sucker.

Different horses react differently to tick bites. Some have little to show for a bite, and the insect often goes unnoticed. Others will start to itch the location of the bite, giving a signal to the bipeds in their lives that something is amiss. Then there are those like my mare.

When Lucky gets a tick, she swells up in an hour or less, completely hiding the tick that is attached to her with a hard knot. While some would expect this degree of swelling to cause pain, the truth is, she will scratch her skin off in minutes if she gets the chance. In this sort of a situation, there are two huge concerns. 1) Get the tick off. 2) Heal the wound she has created.

1) GET THE TICK OFF!

While this may seem like a simple task, it isn't. When a horse's body decides it is going to encompass an attack, it makes removing it very difficult. And most importantly, DON'T FORGET THE HEAD. While you may feel confident that you have hold of the ticks body, you have to be cautious when pulling. Especially when a high degree of swelling is involved, it is not uncommon for you to pull and get the body, and leave the head attached. When this happens, the infectious suckers are still deep in the horse's hide. My personal treatment for this crazy situation is a drawing salve, known as Ichthammol. This substance smells like motor oil and grease, but IT WORKS!!!! And, helpful fact, it can be used on humans too. This ointment will pull out infection, and small objects. SO, next time you have a splinter, rub a little on, and be amazed. I caution people when using this in tick season, because it is usually hot. When the jar heats up in the sun, the result is a gooey mess, so wear gloves.

2) HEAL THE WOUND!

Now that you have used Ichthammol to draw out the beginning of any infection and the tick, it's time to kick into healing overdrive. Even when ticks bite in random areas, like the tail, it can cause enough discomfort to not only irritate your horse, but also to ruin your ride. Let's use the tail example shall we? I use this because it is typically one of the worst damages Lucky does to herself as a result of a tick infestation. The average situation involves a swollen area all along her vulva, oozing yellow infected puss, and scrapes where she has worn away her hair and often, her skin. This wound releases a lot of heat, and is a pain to treat. The biggest issue is keeping it treated without making it itch more. This can prove difficult, and every horse is different. Lucky's care includes a mixture of Furazone, Ichthammol, and Bag Balm. If possible, you will want to wash the tail and buttocks regions, because having these ointments smeared all over creates quite the mess.

Lastly, keep an eye on your horse. Even though ticks are common, you never know when one bite may trigger a more serious reaction. There is controversial evidence supporting both sides of the horse Lyme disease argument. Some scientists claim horses can't get the illness from ticks, and other stand firm that it is a concern. One thing is for sure, they can become very ill with

equine piroplasmosis, which affects the red blood cells.

As we draw close to fall, a different wave of ticks will arise, and you will find yourself out in the field, searching your horses over for pesky insects. Stock up on the ointments you need so when the ticks of the trade strike, you'll be ready and armed!

Division Within The Industry

So, I know it's been a week since I promised this posting, but I'm delivering it today. I truly apologize, but I have been on spring break and have no patience for dial-up Internet.

Before we dive deep into the meat and potatoes of the industry today, I think it's important we touch on a few aspects. To some "newbies," this can be a background lesson, and for those of you who already know, use it to warm up the noodle.

The equine industry is a very complex entity, like most industries. While on the surface it may seem like a large cluster, it is actually severely divided, which we will discuss a little later. I do think, however, it is very important to understand the nooks and crannies of the equestrian world first.

Some people don't realize it, but different styles of riding build major barriers. If you are someone who didn't even know that there is more than one way to ride a horse, you are not alone. Some of you may be thinking, "I know all this. English and western... duh!" But, with all due respect, you've been deceived by a grain of knowledge in a desert of variety. It is true, english and western lump many types of disciplines together, but with a little experience in a horsey world, you will find that within the confines of english and western, it is still divided and dog-eat-dog.

For all intended purposes, english is the smaller saddle like in horse racing and jumping, while western is the larger saddle like from the old cowboy movies. Visualize a chart (almost like a family tree) with a horse at the top. From the horse are two branches, one english and one western. Surrounding those two generalized names are dozens of different ways to ride. Around english you will find dressage, hunter, jumper, etc. Peppering the area near western would be things such as reining, western pleasure, barrel racing, etc.

~~~STOP~~~

Experienced Horse People - Did I mention your discipline? If yes, did you even notice the rest that I listed, or better yet, think to yourself, "You better include *insert discipline* in there!"

Up And Coming Folks - What you don't realize is that people who fox hunt (english) and those who work cows (western) are screaming at the computer right now. And even better, if there are niche oriented readers who race Standardbreds (they pull a cart)... They probably stopped reading when I generalized horses into western and english.

See what I mean? In all of that, I created a barrier with you, despite my best effort to list some of the more popular events. (Yes, you eventers, I know I left you out too.) [Eventing is just another riding event] Is anyone confused yet?

My point was to make all of that just a little confusing. Now that your brains are jumbled with information you thought you understood, or if you are learning this for the first time and wish you knew what the heck I'm talking about, you're primed for today's post.

First and foremost, those of you who have been bitten by the "horsey-bug" that drives you to surround yourself with these loving, majestic, frustrating and expensive creatures, you may disagree on this point... BUT... The equine industry is dependent on the consumer's EXPENDABLE income. I know... you're thinking, "NO IT'S NOT! Horses come before anything in my life." The sad truth is, many people live that way. But for most of us, though we cringe to admit it, horses are factored into an expendable income. You have needs, and then you have hobbies. Horses may be at the top of your hobby list, or even the only one on the list, but it still follows behind the important necessities, like food, a place to live, etc.

With the declining economy, the amount of people with large expendable incomes is decreasing rapidly. What does this mean? The industry is in jeopardy. Some people are probably saying that there are still plenty of people with plenty of money to spend on horses. I agree. HOWEVER, people who are considering an interest in the equine world are often quickly frightened away.

The question is WHY?

Horse People are Crazy! Yeah, we are. If you're a horse person, you know I'm right. We're nuts. We are obsessed and opinionated. We love our horses like children, and treat them as such. We all think we know everything, and are convinced the rest of the world is wrong. Just accept it, we are crazy.

Expensive! Horses are expensive. In today's industry, we are making them more and more expensive. The cheapest part of the horse industry is buying the horse, and when they can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, that is scary. After buying the horse, you have to keep up with the latest in every supplement known to man, vaccinating at least twice a year, maintaining four feet that are like accident-prone tires, feed top quality grain/hay, and then if you have enough left over, start paying for training and shows. I mean really? What happened to the mentality that a horse... is a horse... so let him be a horse.

So there are two popular concepts that scare new comers from the horse world. But, that's not the problem. As with any world, though there are fanatical people, you can always find someone who will agree with you enough to co-exist. And yeah, these four legged bundles of joy are ridiculously expensive, but, as mentioned earlier, there will ALWAYS be people with the money, willing to spend the money.

The problem is...

Division and Aggression Across Discipline Lines

Some people like conflict. You may know someone, or even be someone, who truly longs for conflict in every part of life. If there isn't something wrong, he/she/you can't be happy.

Most people do not live like this. Most people enjoy the simpler things in life because they want to be truly happy. A lot of folks with money understand this idea. Just because they can have a lot of things, doesn't mean they don't know how to be happy. They are just lucky enough to be able to afford the things that make them happy. Don't be jealous or envious, many of them worked for what they have, and if they didn't, wouldn't you use it if you had it?

The point is, if they are going to use the money they have, chances are they expect it to return rewards, like happiness. It's hard to be happy when people around you are constantly bickering and when you are looked down upon simply because of how you choose to ride your horse.

The idea of english and western not "getting along" is timeless. In my best research, I think it is rooted in old western cowboys vs. rich english folks. At one time, maybe the division was important, but today, it is just absurd. There truly is no reason why we can't all just GET ALONG!

Even after someone fights the battle into english or western, there is a new sea of confusion between the niches inside these disciplines. People who ride western pleasure hear that they don't do anything but sit on a dead horse from those who work cattle by horseback. People who event with their horses laugh at jumpers because they are "sissies." Constantly, all you ever hear is gossip, and talk, and you see people turning up their noses all the time.

IT IS SOOOOO FRUSTRATING!

We are all different. Like any world, we have different ways of doing the same thing. I am reminded of the recently passed Olympics. They were all winter sports, and even within sports (like skiing) there are so many different kinds of competition. But they are all able to get together and co-exist. We can't do that in the horse world today, and it is tearing the industry apart.

If we want anything done for the benefit of the horse world, it is imperative that we can stand as one, because when we stand divided, nothing ever gets done.

I know whatever way you ride is better than all the other disciplines. I know your horse is better than all the other horses in that discipline for this reason or that. But you have to realize the safety of the industry which your horse's well-being relies on is in jeopardy, and it is important that we get together, accept our differences, and move on as one.

Seriously... Can't we all just get along?

If only they could say "FEED ME PLEASE!"

I spent quite a while pondering what to write about for today and pretty much decided to not blog, strongly against the wishes of my professor. Instead, as I felt a lack of inspiration come over me, something fell into my lap.

The subject I am going to discuss today is a sensitive one. I'm going to write about horses and their weight. This is a complex topic for me because I have been cursed with a couple of impossible weight candidates myself. This makes the issue very personal.

While stepping out of the shower this evening, I found an alarming text from a friend asking me questions about the physical characteristics of a horse I used to own. I replied with the answers, but in my impatience, decided to call. After talking for a few moments, I was informed that a horse had come in to USERL (US Equine Rescue League) that was severely underweight and looked like a horse I owned a year or two back.

I instantly panicked and got in touch with the mutual friend that had relayed the information in my direction. Through a series of photo messages on the great Facebook I was able to determine the starving creature she had seen was not my beautiful boy. Though I was able to breathe a sigh of relief, my heart sank in sadness for the horse in the gloomy picture.

Some horses are hard to keep weight on. (A hard-keeper for the up and coming) That is the simple truth of it. I think a lot of people overlook this concept, and it is the reason there are so many skinny horses, and so many people who are over critical as soon as they see an underweight case. It is true, if you starve a horse, it will drop weight, but it is also true that they will drop weight for whatever reason and it is HARD to put back on.

In my personal experience, the horse in question had a terrible sore in his mouth, and the vet came out to treat it, but my gelding refused to eat for almost an entire week. A week with no food is detrimental on a horse's health and appearance. Following this time, I did all I could to put some meat back on his bones, but never got him back to where I wanted him to be. After a terrible car accident, I was forced to get rid of him. It pained me to watch him walk onto a trailer, but it was even harder to see him leave knowing he looked badly.

The people who picked him up thought, I'm sure, that he had been starved and neglected. They probably have bad-mouthed me to tons of people by now, and there is probably an anti-KP fan club out there somewhere with t-shirts and the whole 9 yards. But the truth of it is... I did what I could, I kept the vet involved, I fed him regularly what I was told to feed, and he had free choice hay. Even though I played the game by the rules, my gelding forgot to read the rulebook.

On the flip side, many of us have driven by a house with an old horse out front that looks to be 40 years old, decrepit, just being someone's lawn ornament. That horse is sway backed and grungy, and often showing a lot of rib on his sides. What makes us keep driving past that horse, but assume such terrible things about a different case? A lot of you are probably thinking, "Well... he's old. That's what happens to older horses."

Yeah, it is what happens to some older horses, but it is also what happens to some other horses with various problems. As an equine society, we need to learn to take a deep breath and keep an open mind. By jumping down someone's throat, you are offensive, and without learning facts, you may be making yourself into a total fool.

Now that we can all realize that there are horses that are challenging out there, we can openly discuss those that are just plain NEGLECTED.

A neglected horse is not a hard-keeper. Many neglected horses are easy-keepers (easy to keep weight on for you newbies) and luckily so. It is the fact that these animals can sustain life on so little that keeps them alive from day to day. The saddest part of neglected horses is that it is usually a result of good-hearted ignorance. Most people you find owning a starving horse aren't starving it on purpose, they just don't understand that the horse can't say "FEED ME PLEASE!"

In some cases, ignorant horse-owners can be educated on how to take better care of their animal, but the great controversy comes from this. How do you decide who should and who should NOT own a horse? Do you say that one mistake should force you out of the industry? And what if that neglect case is a hard-keeper, so even though the treatment could have been better, it's really not severely bad neglect, simply a hard-keeper and uneducated owner? Who has the right to draw these lines? But doesn't someone need to draw them since the horses can't speak for themselves?

Weight issues pose so many questions to the owner and then twice as many to the general public around them. Too often people are attacked about their horse care because they own a problem horse. I would be willing to bet: If we all attacked people about their riding and training ability based on how their horse performed under saddle, horse show attendance would be cut in half. There are horses that are harder to train, handle, and ride. There are horses that are harder to keep at a preferable weight. The key is figuring out who is to judge these things.

One last note I want to make is that skinny is bad, but fat is no better. Horse owners today are so scared of being judged that their animal is too underweight that they pack on the pounds. They don't want their sweet little pony to be hungry so they feed them and feed them.... right into the grave. These people are at the brunt of very few attacks on their horse care, but if you've ever seen a foundered pony with elf slipper hooves and a coffin bone that's come out the bottom of his/her sole, you'll never look at a fat pony the same again.

The point? Don't judge. But don't ignore either. If you know someone with a horse that has a weight issue, be it over or under, be kind and gentle in asking about if the horse has any problems. Most ignorant people realize they know very little and can tell something isn't right. Be a good horseman *or horsewoman for you politically correct folks* and help by teaching.

The equine industry is in some SERIOUS trouble in this economy. Horses live off of people's expendable incomes, and that is dwindling in this day and age. We have all been so divided that we have torn the concept of "strength in numbers" right out from under each other.

Hmmm.... Let's talk about that tomorrow. For now, go volunteer at a horse rescue or at least pay better attention to the care of horses around you. Be kind and calm... a little bit of help can go a long way.

Ag Mind vs. Ag Student

As some of you may know, I am currently pledging the VT chapter of Block and Bridle. For those of you who don't know, it is an agriculture based club for animal husbandry.

Part of pledging is making a "B" out of wood, decorating it all up, and getting a billion and one signatures on it. So... I have found myself wandering the halls of Litton Reeves, the ag (agriculture for you up and coming folks) building on campus, looking for faculty members to sign my "B." In doing so, I find myself getting the strangest looks.

Let me first inform you of proper "sign this damn thing" procedure. *Shake Hands* "Hi! My name is Kelsey Pecsek. I am from Virginia Beach. I'm a junior in Communication. Will you please sign my B?"

I get to "junior in" without a problem, but when the word "Communication" leaves my lips... I could tell them I just killed someone and they wouldn't hear me. The blank, astonished look baffles me.

This brings me to my point of the day... What is the difference between an Ag mind and an Ag student?

I'm not going to try and convince you of an answer, but I want to give you some things to think about.

An ag mind is one that thinks about agriculture. That probably goes a little without saying, but when you really address the idea... Does it? If you think you are ag minded, do you live your life thinking about agriculture and how the things you do are intertwined in it? Prime Example: I went shopping with my roomie last night, and when we were looking at what package of cheese to buy, the college student in us was screaming "CHEAP." Well, she was smart enough to look a little closer at the labels, and the ag mind was screaming "100% Farmer Owned!" We bought the Borden... their proceeds go to American dairy farms.

An ag student is taking ag classes, on the surface. But does being enrolled in agricultural classes make you a true ag student? If you are a true ag student, you aren't in the classroom to get the grade. You are sitting in the room, absorbing every ounce of information the teacher can give you, taking thorough notes, and constantly analyzing how the facts you are being given can be used in your future. Prime Example: I am in Intro to the Equine Industry. I have an extensive knowledge of a lot of horse information, but I also realize there is a plethora I know little to nothing about. When I walk into the room, I record everything I can and try to allow the lecture to sink in, knowing it will help me in my life and career with horses.

Now that we understand each concept better, is there a huge struggle between ag minds and ag students? Granted there are people who fall into both categories, but why is it such a conflict? Why do professors in the ag department feel that giving me an alien look is appropriate just because my major doesn't center around agriculture? Is it better to be one or the other? These are all questions I have rolling around now...

So now that you have a little to think about, go out, ponder these questions... See if you're ag minded. Try and figure out if you're a true ag student. I anticipate several of you will say "I am both," but deep in your thoughts you may question yourself a little after debating these concepts. Please don't be too hard on yourselves... you are probably ten times more attentive to agriculture than the average citizen, but we all have room for improvement, including me.

Soooo... go kiss a cow or something... :-)

Attack of Abscess Season

With all the wet weather, we're back into the season for the abscess. Wait?!?! It's just February, and we are well into standing water? Back home in Virginia Beach, and up here in Blacksburg alike, the winter weather has proven most bothersome. With large quantities of rain and snow, I can't remember when it was truly dry last.

I'm watching it snow outside, and thinking to myself... Great, more icy coldness! However, what is building in the back of my brain is the fact that with a little sunshine, all the white will melt into mush. And mush means... ABSCESS. For you up and comers, this means a nasty infection in the hoof that will render a totally sound horse 3-legged lame the next day.

So, when the abscess strikes, it's time to start making decisions. Do you treat it by yourself or call the vet/farrier to dig it out? If you are practically positive it's an abscess and feel comfortable, try treating it yourself. Invest in stock of duct tape, vet wrap, and a good package of diapers. Soak and wrap away for a few days until the abscess works its way out, then use iodine to keep it clean for a few days.

We all hate an abscess. It pops up out of nowhere and it always seems to come at the worst time (like your week to work late, or the day before a big show). The issue isn't the abscess itself this year; We've been dealing with them for a long time. The crazy aspect right now is the weather. With all the wet, and it being so early, I can guarantee there is far more to come.

Let's call this... The year of the abscess...