[Jean]

I am using a bridle that fits better now and have the bit adjusted up a little higher in her mouth. Has helped a lot. I think I had it too far down and she did not like it sitting on her tongue.

[Jean]

Holy Crap~

[Jean]

We used the stone boat this morning. Moved some small square bales of hay. Anna was very good, except I changed the routine. Last time I had her bring the hay through the gate right up to the hay room door. It is very tight and hard to turn around, so this time I just wanted her to get the hay to the gate and turn around without going through it. She did not understand the new rules, but after the third trip she had it down.

[Jean]

Bird, take someone you trust with you. If they say they drive, have the owner make them drive, if they come up with excuses why they can’t walk away.

[Jean]

Thanks for the reply’s. The sled is the size of a hay bale, so about 2 feet across and 4 feet long. It is made out of hard wood and is heavy, given the small size of it. The runners have the metal that seamless gutters are made out of. The gutter guys were here and I asked to see how they were made and they had an extra piece that they gave me. I have been using a snow mobile sled for her to move stuff, this will not slide as easy as that does. My mule is only 11 hands tall.

[Jean]

I loved the line “well I hope this works”. Seems I say that every time I do something with the horses. They sure did move right out once you told them to go!

[Jean]

Here is the piece that was in the newsletter.

To E or not to E
We often get a lot of questions in regards to vitamin E and Selenium. Should I feed it, does my horse need it, what the heck does it do? I often reply, “It depends”.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that is an excellent antioxidant and helps support muscle function and the immune system. Selenium has an interrelated function with Vitamin E it basically increases the efficiency of Vitamin E as an antioxidant and is also, very crucial in proper muscle function and a healthy immune system. In a nut shell both Vitamin E and Selenium are free radical scavengers that help with normal oxygen metabolism in the body, which produces toxic free radicals as byproducts. Vitamin E and Selenium are able to neutralize the effect of these toxins.

When do I supplement? There are many factors that contribute to this decision; some of these factors include diet, pasture, underlying diseases, lameness, and discipline. The only thing we all have in common is that we live in the North East, where the soil is Selenium deficient.

If your diet does not include grain and you are feeding hay /pasture only, you may not be reaching your horse’s Vitamin E and Selenium requirements. Some pastures will be better than others but since we live in the North East, pasture is not available 6 months out of the year. Most grains are well balanced but only at certain feeding levels. This does not mean we need to feed pounds and pounds of grain, there a lot of mineral based supplements that will fulfill the Vitamin E/Selenium requirement without increasing the concentrate load.

I like to supplement Vitamin E/Selenium for horses that have certain diseases and lameness. Any muscular disorder is a definite, this would include tie-up horses, EPSM horses, white muscle disease, Shivers, and horses prone to mild cramping. I also like to use Vitamin E/Selenium when I am trying to give the immune system a boost, like chronic respiratory disease, skin conditions, or my geriatric challenged immune systems. As far as discipline is concerned, you may be feeding an adequate amount but the stresses on the body may demand more.

There are many excellent over the counter supplements. Vitamin E and selenium are very safe products. You should discuss with your veterinarian or nutritionist whether a supplement is warranted and what supplement is right for your horse.

[Jean]

The second link that dlskidmore put on works. There is a picture of a mule on the far right. Click on that and it will take you to all the mules and horses for sale.

[Jean]

My vet said to be sure you got natural vit e and sel, not processed. http://greenmountaindraft.org

This link will take you to a piece about vit e and sel he wrote for our newsletter. Go to the newsletter tab.

Jean

[Jean]

Please do give him my contact

[Jean]

A friend of mine was there and she made a point of telling me the horses names. Pretty funny how that is almost always the first question. Then how much do they weigh?

[Jean]

Eric and his Belgian just drove by my house and down a very steep hill headed to Rt 7 with his bakery wagon. Pretty cool. It must have very good brakes, it was a even slow pace going down the hill.

Eric, will you shoe the horse when this gets going in full swing?

Jean

[Jean]

Thanks – She is not young. I think she is around 18 years old. She has a very good whoa with just voice, so it does not bother me as much as if she did not listen to my voice. I have just never seen a horse be able to move the bit as much as she can. She is my first mule. I am hoping that once we get working she will have something more interesting to pay attention to.
Jean

[Jean]

I have had the same thing happen with both mares and geldings. It has something to do with the mix of the urine and air. Not sure why it does not happen all the time, but it doesn’t. I notice it mostly in the winter in the snow. The urine is yellow coming out but turns red on the ground over time. Unnerving when I first got horses. Vet has assured me nothing is wrong.

[Jean]

Hi Jen, Is there something you and Reno can do together first, that will get your connection back and get Reno settled. Take for a trip around the neighborhood with the forecart. Not enough to wear him out, but enough to stretch his legs. Then hook him to the plow. You will have gotten the feel of the lines, taken some deep breaths and had some joy. Then move to the plow with a goal of just getting some steps right. Plow until it feels good.

[Author]

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