February 6, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm, flood, frozen, horse farm, ice, skid steer, storm, winter
What a crazy long day. I can handle snow. I can handle rain. But one right after the other is a recipe for disaster. So today started with flooding. The barn flooded and the shed in front of the barn that holds all their feed flooded. It was right at the point of touching feed bags. Here is the good part, my wonderful BF was home and able to save the day. He had been working since 3 am plowing but was done early so we borrowed the neighbors skid steer and started moving snow water and slush from in front of the barn. Crisis averted no feed was lost and water is no longer rising.
But tonight down to 12 degrees, the next day we had an ice skating rink.
All the stores were out of rock salt, so I found out a good alternative is water softener salt. Just don’t use it on paved surfaces. Put down the rock salt, now the horses can go out to the pasture with out fear of slipping on ice.
Day part 2. This one too has a ended well. So with the freezing rain, the whole neighborhood’s electricity goes out around 6pm. I start panicking. How will the horses have water in the morning? All their water will freeze over night. So I was envisioning boiling water on the wood burning stove and bringing it out to the barn. But the water would only last a day. My only recourse I could think of was to buy a generator. Which luckily Lowes just received a large shipment of. We get it home and an electrician friend comes by to help out. He makes sure it is set up and shows me the separate electrical panel and switch (between generator and main power). Then low and behold the electricity comes back on. All of that a for 3 hours with out power. Well luckily we are prepared now.
Winter is not over yet
February 5, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
equine, farm, farm horse, frozen, horse farm, horses, winter
This week we had about 8 more inches of snow. Sure it is pretty to look at and the horses love to play in it but it makes everything more difficult: Walking out to the barn, opening doors, gloved hands can’t do anything. Enough complaining, because it also make for some very pretty pictures.
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A couple of days after the snow storm we found ourselves in the the midst of Frozen Rain and slightly Warmer temperatures. A layer of ice coated everything. I had some fun with these pictures, as it is really quite beautiful.
January 30, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
cold, farm horse, frozen, horse, horse farm, weather, winter
Today I received a request for to answer some questions about this winter for a human interest story for PSU Extension Equine newsletter. So I figured I would share with you.
Name and location in state: Golden Spike Farm; Quakertown, PA
How many horses are you caring for? 10 horses and 2 mini donkeys
What challenges has the harsh winter conditions in January 2014 caused for you?
- Frozen water buckets in the stalls
- Frozen water hose
- Barn doors frozen shut
- So cold your hands and feet hurt so you minimize your time outside (horses not receiving as much attention)
- Horses not being brushed as much so a wound was missed. I am now dealing with the abscess. Twice daily wound care plus antibiotics (topical, oral, intramuscular injection)
What changes have you had to make this year that are different from past years to manage and care your farm and/or horses?
- Horses are in the barn more.
- Barn is closed up at night.
- Donkeys hang out in the aisle, because they don’t have a stall.
- Boiling water in the stall water buckets every night.
- Breaking ice out of buckets every morning.
- Buying new things to make life easier:
Personal Comment on Winter of 2014:
Everything takes longer starting with getting ready to go outside. I usually can be found wearing 3 layers on the bottom and 5 layers on top, hat, gloves, and my Columbia cold weather boots. Luckily I have help; all my boarders share the work load. I am originally from Miami, so I have jumped into this the hard way but we are getting through it and I am looking forward to warmer temperatures this weekend.
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January 3, 2014
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses, Horseback riding
horse farm, horseback riding, lessons, snow, trail ride, winter
Since being back from vacation things have been a whirl wind (hence the absence of posts). Cuervo’s half mom said she keeps checking there is nothing new, so here I am finally having time to write a little bit and catch you all up.
The Saturday I got back it was like a normal farm day. Trial ride followed by lessons.
This is Apple headed our for the road ride with Cuervo. Things change and happen so quickly. On the way back we are passed by a large noisy truck. Cuervo’s 1/2 mom looses her balance and is unable to stay on. Long story short we were very fortunate to have 2 good Samaritans stop to help us out and the emergency services arrive take her away with a broken arm. As I start to walk the horses back home Cuervo sends out a loud Whinny. There were no horses around for him to talk to, I am sure the whinny was for his 1/2 mom as he noticed she was missing. So this post is for you and for a speedy recovery! Cant wait till you get back out to see your old man (Cuervo) and eventually back in the saddle. He misses you too. Makes you realize no matter how good of a rider you are horses are still animals and accidents happen.
I get back to the farm 1/2 late for the next lesson. Luckily Rachael was there to fill in for me.
A few days later another snow storm hits. It sure is pretty but such a pain to deal with on the farm.
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November 28, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Animals
donkey, equine, Fall, farm horse, horse farm, surgery, Thanksgiving
I was speaking to a friend about not having yet received a call from the vet. She said the old phrase no news is good news. Well I corrected her and said in Nash’s case no news is not bad news, because I am sure they would call if he had any significant negative changes.
That being said it is Thanksgiving and I did not receive a call from the hospital. Dr P. is off today, he said that another vet would call me with an update on Nash’s temperature but I didn’t hear from them today.
I am going to visit Nash tomorrow and finally meet Dr P. So I will have a full update after that.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. A couple of pictures of me this morning with my “kids”. Took a break from doing stall for to take some selfies,
Apple is not amused
Me and Bilbo with a Frodo photo bomb.
November 23, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, fever, horse, horse farm, horses, hospital, hugs and kisses, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
I woke up this morning to a phone call from the vet helping Dr Parente. She had not so good news… Nash has developed a fever. His temperature is 104. Normal body temperature for horses is 98 – 101 F. They think it is is viral infection but would like to keep him in the hospital over the weekend. She said he can probably go home Monday. While this is very disappointing, I understand it is best for him to stay in the hospital where they can monitor him closely and react quickly should he worsen. She did say he is eating a drinking as normal, which is why it is probably a viral infection.
Lover boy
November 21, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Horses
equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse farm, horses, rescue, SaveNash, surgery
Dr Parente just called me. It was great to talk to him after seeing Nash as I was able to ask all my questions.
How did he get the hernia?
DrP. found scar tissue below the hernia which lead him to believe that the hernia was caused by trauma. Perhaps from a horse kicking him (before I rescued him) that caused a tear in the muscle wall.
How was the surgery performed?
The surgical mesh was attached to the muscles surrounding the hernia hole. Usually they try to pull the muscles together and put the mesh on top but due to the location this was not possible. So the mesh was attached with some tension (like a trampoline) to the muscles. There is also a layer of fat between the mesh and the intestine so there will be no complications there. Over time scar tissue will form over the mesh and reinforce it.
How is his recovering going?
He is doing very well. Pain seems to be down a bit today. Dr P. took the bandage off and was very pleased by the look at the incision site. It was very dry indicating not much puss or fluids forming. The swelling is less than the expected and Nash let him touch it (which indicates less pain). They are going to re-bandage it and keep that on for a while. Nash will be switched from IV antibiotics to Oral Abs. They are also reducing his bute (pain meds).
When can he come home?
Nash can go home Friday or Saturday. Which works out great because we will be picking him up around 4 on Saturday.
What happens when he comes home?
Nash will be confined to the stall for 2 weeks and hand walked only. Then he can be let out in a small round pen for 1 month. During this time he is not allowed to run around or interact with the herd for fear of tearing open the surgical site. I will continue the oral Antibiotics and pain meds as needed.
39.868098
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November 8, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Activities, Farm Horses
Golden Spike Farm, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, rescue, Thankful
On Facebook I started a post a day about things I am thankful for during the month of Thanksgiving. this is today’s post.
#8 Today I am thankful that I have the facility and ability to share my horse world with others. My colleagues enjoy hearing my tales of farm life (from throwing bales of hay to rolling study horses over). My lesson kids and adults enjoy experiencing it first hand. I get the joy of watching them grown in strength and courage as they learn to trust and communicate with a 1000 lb beast.
November 8, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Horseback riding
equine, Fall, farm, farm horse, horse farm, horseback, horseback riding, horses, lessons, nature, pasture, riding, trail ride, trail rides
I still can’t believe and am very grateful for how strong the lesson program is going even though the temperatures are dropping my students are still hanging in there and I am starting new ones almost every week. With it getting dark at 5 pm I am even contemplating having lights installed around the riding arena. BUT lets find out how much it costs first.
I have started doing Gymkhana exercises with some of my lesson girls. They love it! I get on Apple and do it with them. Then I discovered how much Apple loves to do it too. It is a lot of fun and teaches them balance, quick reactions and confidence.
Sometimes at the end of lessons we go on “trail rides”. It is just a walk around the front pasture but the kids love it. They can relax. Not have to go in constant circles and enjoy a bit of nature from the back of a horse. The parents and dogs enjoy the walk as well.
October 7, 2013
Golden Spike Farm
Farm Animals, Farm Horses
donate, equine, farm horse, Golden Spike Farm, horse farm, horses, rescue, SaveNash
A friend of the farm has generously donated 2 college football tickets to the Nash fundraising campaign. Then he set up a raffle through ebay to raffle them off. All proceeds will go to Nash’s surgery fund.
Please click here to visit the ebay page: Raffle for 2 Nebraska vs Michigan State Spartans 11-16-13 football tickets
Please share this link with any friends in Nebraska or Michigan. Thank you for your support!
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