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jen judkins
Participant@highway 18516 wrote:
I don’t know if he has an underlying ailment.
If I remember correctly, Oz came out of a rescue situation, so who knows what his health history is. But I wouldn’t assume he is sick in some way, just sensitive. I tell my patients…we are all born with a immune ‘bank account’ and genes that dictate how much ‘money’ you get. When the money is gone, you get sick. Some of us and some poor horses, just weren’t very rich to begin with(or lived a hard life and spent what they had too quickly). Sorry if the analogy doesn’t read well:D
Out to mow…
ParticipantEd, I have a horse with Uveitis and with every vaccine it wants to flare up. I’ve managed him by only giving one vaccine at a time and by minimizing his vaccines in general. I also would consider pre-treating with a bute the morning of the vaccine.
As to why he reacts….vaccines are intense immuno-modulators. Means they mess with your immune system to trick it into building targeted cells…sort of a little army waiting for these viruses to enter the body. Just like people, if your immune function is in perfect working order, you don’t feel the immunologic activity going on. If you’re older or sick or have some underlying immune dysfunction (like my gelding’s uveitis), the vaccine instigates a cascade of events cellularly that tip you over the edge and you get sick.
How old is Oz? I only do rabies and EWT for my older horses. And I only do them every other year. Good Luck. Jen.
Participant@LongViewFarm 18344 wrote:
I was a little disappointed that the elder folks were actually not all that supportive (beyond the great loan of the plow), and some remarks were a little disparaging, so I didn’t compete.
That’s too bad, Long View, as plowing is hard enough when you are learning. Its extremely helpful to have a supportive mentor to get you started and get you over the rough spots. I can’t tell you how many times I stopped on the first day and said to myself “what the $%* am I doing? I can’t do this!”…..only to have Ted remind me…”You ARE doing it, just not that well yet!” I would have given up, if left to my own devices and I certainly wouldn’t have even tried if I had been discouraged by those I admire.
So I hope you will try again….with the plowing, that is… and don’t get discouraged. I wish I were your age again :rolleyes:
ParticipantI sooo feel your frustration! I have been in the same shoes and I understand the feeling that you let your horse down. I have no doubt though that he will be just fine and you both will get over that rough day:D
ParticipantRick, I heard about that runaway…but those horses are not his original plowing team…at least not the horses in his video (who seemed to have some age on them)….so I’ll bet they were still young. You never know though…
ParticipantI’m definately gonna need to hang out with Sam at NEAPFDs this year 😉
Participant@highway 18108 wrote:
Why was Reno in the furrow? I was talking to Sam Rich today and asked him to keep his eyes peeled for a single horse land plow for me. He suggested an 8″ plow for the single horse and said the horse should be on the landside of the furrow.
Well, that’s interesting. I think it would depend on the plow and how it is set up….but I certainly wouldn’t argue with a plowing pro like Sam! We’ll just add that to the now lengthy list of obstacles to plowing with a single horse:D.
Well. Mark was over, bless his heart, and we gave it a whirl. We definately had more success with him handling the plow and me handling Reno, but it was rough and Reno wouldn’t settle into an effective way of pulling the plow. We both had to agree after working for an hour, that it was too hard for Reno, under these circumstances….questionable plow, turning sod, lots of rocks, on a hill. I remain certain that Reno can plow single…and I am reasonably sure he could handle the task today, if he had had more experience with easier ground such as we had in Vermont last month and perhaps a smoother running plow.
Whether the work was indeed too hard or his perception was that it was too hard….its hard to tell…but it makes no difference, as either way it is a bad experience for him. I just need to find a way to set him up next time to succeed.
This has been an interesting learning process for me. Having had such success over at Ted’s plowing with his plow, on his previously plowed land, I assumed the task would remain the same here at my place. Well, as you have all pointed out, there are alot of variables and they all weigh differently, so it takes alot of experience to know what to expect. Its alittle daunting, actually.
For now, I have to preserve the working relationship with Reno. So the plot with get plowed conventionally…this year. Reno can pull the cultivator this year and we’ll try again next year when the plot is nice and mellow.
I hate to give up…but its the right thing to do, for now.
ParticipantNice horses, nice rig. Beautiful job!
ParticipantThanks for the support and encouragement everyone. I’m feeling better about the next step now.
Donn, you hit the nail on the head….I’m plowing sod with lots of rocks using a crappy plow and asking a big effort from Reno, and at the same time insisting he walk in a 10 inch furrow, his feet barely fit into:eek: What am I thinking!?! In retrospect its no wonder he became confused and balky. I’m sure he was convinced that ‘step up’ or kiss-kiss had developed some new meaning and he felt safer standing still, lol!
I’m sure most of you know what a block head (reads pig-headed and stubborn) I am and thanks, Missy and OldKat for putting that so nicely;). So you can be sure I will try again with a new stradegy!
As luck would have it, Mark Cowdry PM’d me and offered to come help. We’re gonna try again tomorrow afternoon, weather permitting. The only goal will be to have a good experience…he made me promise:rolleyes:.
If it proves too much for Reno, I’ll revert to plan ‘B’ which will be to plow the plot this year with the tractor, harrow and cultivate with Reno and plow with Reno next year. Thanks for the plan, Michael! We’ll get there somehow, some day…
I’ll report back tomorrow…
Participant@Carl Russell 18071 wrote:
Tell me how plowing with a tractor is going to help you learn how to plow with your horse!
I meant to pull the walking plow with the tractor. At least I would get an idea of how the plow works without having to concentrate on Reno. As you said, maybe it is the plow.
A better idea would be to have someone come over and help…one person drive Reno and the other plow. I guess I’m feeling better this morning….ready to try again….at least mentally. My back is killing me!:rolleyes:
Participant@Carl Russell 18063 wrote:
Plowing is not an easy thing to master. As you have found out it is much more than just driving the horse, or steering the plow. I’d say that is the positive. You added to your knowledge base, and it will help you in the future. Give it another try.
You know I will! But do I adhere to the timeframe and plow with the tractor (this time)…or do I go out and do it again with Reno? Should I get someone to come help? Any volunteers?
ParticipantDifferent plow, Tim….and no one to coach me…it was a double wammy!
ParticipantLooks like an awesome trip!
ParticipantNice plow, Ed…even still has the coulter wheels! Can’t wait to see how you shine that baby up! Let me know if you need some horse power 😀
ParticipantEd, I have the same cultivator, lol! Haven’t tried it yet.
I think Oz was looking pretty straight in your later photos, so I guess you are on the right track. I had the same issue with Reno…plowing. How to get him straight for the first furrow (where there isn’t one to walk in).
Now that we are home and on our own agenda, my plan is to set out some stakes and teach him to follow the line without the plow for a bit, before doing any real plowing.
You never really know what to teach a horse…till you have a specific job in mind…eh?
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