[jen judkins]

@Does’ Leap 25854 wrote:

They aren’t a dramatic patch of white, but he has a smattering of white hairs on both sides like in a 2″square. We have never had any sores or skin changes in this area, but I am wondering if it could be a pressure point since I am seeing these changes in the hair. Anyone else ever seen or heard of that?

See it all the time in saddle horses from poorly fitting saddles, usually around the withers, so I think you assertion is accurate. I switched Reno over to a full sweeney last summer…as he was really filling out in the neck.

[jen judkins]

@Michael Colby 25835 wrote:

I have yet to find a good collar cheap. But I get mine through Meader Supply (1-800-4HORSES). No complaints.

Agreed. I get mine from them as well, the adjustable type and have been very happy with them.

I put a collar on Reno for the first time this winter a week ago as part of a demo for a small group of people…boy was I embarassed when the collar sat a half a foot from his shoulder…yikes!

[jen judkins]

Mink, I spend most of my winter with my fingers crossed ;):rolleyes::p

[jen judkins]

Hey Patrick, great to hear from you! Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

<<" One of my new pet theories is that thousands of years ago when we humans were initially establishing our working relationship with animals, we were more like them. Hunters and gatherers would both have benefited greatly from the ability to remain calm, relaxed, and alert for long periods of time. This would have aided us in our first working relationships with animals as well.">>

Absolutely! For me, this is one of the benefits of working with horses…returning to that more natural state. Its a chance to shed our modern encumbrances in a way.

Nice letter, enjoyed it. Thanks, Don.

[jen judkins]

Do you have anyone in mind to make these, Don? My mom was working on a plan to make these last year, but gave up when I went to the padded bench on my forecart. I might be able to persuade her to start up her sewing machine again.

[jen judkins]

Mark, as you probably know, I have an enclosed trailer, not a slotted stock version and I worry more about horses overheating in this set up. So if you are worried they will get chilled, definately blanket. BUT put a layer of fleece or wool underneath in case they get wet and need to get dry…JMHO. Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

BTW, before and after photos for Reno. These photos were taken about 15 months apart.

[jen judkins]

@dehutch 23531 wrote:

There is no doubt universal agreement that “Operational” conditioning is the ultimate goal but I took Andy’s comments to be limited to physical conditioning which would seem to be the first step in rehab. The ground sled has certainly worked for me and your previous horse.:)

Smooches to Peanut!!!!:D

No, Doug and Andy, I was in no way triing to debunk the sort of physical training you are speaking of and use it often. I guess I just like the mental challenge of keeping a horse on cue while skidding wood…which, btw, need not be heavy work and can be graduated to heavier loads fairly predictably once you get the hang of assessing wood.

If this were a horse I knew well and had a working relationship with and simply had an injury to rehab, I would go to the sled or stoneboat right away. But this is a horse I don’t know well and I prefer to cement the relationship first, the muscles and working physiology second. Its a preference. I am a woman. I work alone for the most part. I get to choose what is the best path for me and him:p.

[jen judkins]

The Vet in Ohio took some xrays and thinks it is OCD, which is a common developmental problem in drafts. His stifles were injected and he is sound, but it remains to be seen whether I can get those joints working properly. One of the problems is that he has been untreated probably for years and so has accommodated to his discomfort by loading the front end more than usual. His hind end is teeney and underdeveloped because of this compensation. The trick will be to get him comfortable enough to build up the hind end and start to move more naturally, pushing from behind.

OCD is an arthritic condition where small chips of bone develop and cause pain in the joints. I think it is dietary. It happens in young horses that are growing fast. Probably get too much calcium or too acidic a diet during that important growth period. I’ve reversed bone spavin and other arthritic conditions with special diets and corrective trimming before….we’ll see if this guy responds. For now he is pasture sound, even on the hardpack we have right now, so I am opptimistic.

[jen judkins]

While I agree, Andy, that a sled or stone boat provides an easily measurable way to strengthen a horse’s muscling and endurance, I find skidding wood provides other benefits. All that stopping and fiddling you mention, strengthen the horse’s mind and provides the basis for a good partnership. I love the finesse of it. Approaching the log, applying the chains, positioning the horse, hooking on, moving the wood strategically, stop, reposition, etc. All these things teach the horse patience, to tune into the teamster and apply energy in a focused and efficient manner, which is something I want in place before I set him to the task of fairly mindlessly pulling a load around the country roads. In my mind skidding wood (or something that simulates it) is a pre-requisite to driving in a cart or sled in many ways. But that may just be me and my own experience. I get bored easily, lol!

[jen judkins]

@Robert MoonShadow 23493 wrote:

{I knew you had a wee bit of pirate in ya, you outlaw, you!!} :p

Nice to hear from you, Pirate Farmer! 😀

Thanks for all the support. I think I will simply start a conversation with the rescue group. They seem reasonable and I came highly recommended…so I think we can talk. It may just be an educational thing. Their only exposure to working draft horses is the Amish farmers who dump their unwanted horses into the auctions. Its no wonder they are suspect of anyone wanting to ‘work’ a horse on a farm or in the woods. I’ll let you know how it goes.

But in the end, I will do whatever is right for the horse. A horse without a job is a waste of talent and energy….

[jen judkins]

He’s from Frog Pond Draft Horse Rescue in Cambridge, OH. What have you heard, Tim?

[jen judkins]

@mitchmaine 23464 wrote:

i think if you have a written or verbal agreement with someone about how you treat their horse once they give its care over to you, you are bound to the agreement by accepting the horse.

The thing is Mitch is that it is NOT in the written contract. One of the girls at the rescue told me that over the phone (and I assumed it was in the contract). The horse is only 6 years old.

[jen judkins]

Forgot to post a photo

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