A Horse Rescue Organization
I started taking horseback riding lessons at 40. I have loved horses ever since I can remember but life, reluctant parents, and all of the details that can distract some of us from pursuing our dreams got in the way, and I got a late start. I started lessons at a hunter/ jumper barn outside of Los Angeles. With no horse of my own, my lessons were on “school horses.” These were horses owned by the stable and used solely for lessons. The younger riders seemed enchanted by the more expensive, privately owned horses that lived in the barn. They talked of “graduating” to those horses. The school horses lived in a herd in a small pasture out back, and I take my hat off to them!
Before each lesson, students would go out into the little herd and halter a horse suggested by the trainer. Culling one of the horses out of the herd was slightly daunting for a nervous beginner like myself, but I managed to do it, groom the horse, saddle up and get out into the arena for a lesson.
The horses who lived in the barn were beautiful, well bred, and many competed in horse shows around the state. But to my way of thinking, the school horses had the really tough job. I wish I could have hopped on, gracefully trotted around the arena (or heaven forbid cantered!) and focussed on the finer points of riding, but that was not to be. I bounced around, pulled at my horses’ mouth, and just tried to stay on. Thanks to the wonderful patient school horses I usually did! (and when I didn’t it was all on me!) I wonder what they were thinking when they saw me approaching, halter in hand, knowing they had their work cut out for them?!
Dottie was a big boned Appaloosa who carried me faithfully and even put up with my fitful attempts to try some dressage patterns. Rosie was a small, white horse who was intelligent, athletic, and received compliments from the instructor even when she was the only school horse in the arena. She moved with ease and carried me along. There were so many more, and I’m sad to say I can’t recall their names.
I’m sure there are many of you out there who spent time on a school horse. I hope that by remembering, we honor them.
A few months back I described Sheldon’s “Equine Head Shaking Condition” and included a photo of him in his “special mask.” Things got worse. A horse’s head weighs approximately ten percent of its body weight. At approximately 900 pounds, Sheldon’s head probably weighs in the area of 90 pounds. And since his head is on the large side proportionally, it may weigh more! With his head shaking condition, he was tossing that weight around reflexively, and it was becoming more and more dangerous for us to even get a halter on him. He could have inadvertently knocked us out!
The mask wasn’t helping and seemed to aggravate him. Perhaps it was interfering with his vision. We were desperate. Then I saw an article in the magazine put out by Platinum Performance addressing the head shaking condition and promoting a product called Platinum Steady (free plug!). I consulted with our vet, and he suggested we try it.
Within a week of using the product we saw a marked improvement and today Sheldon exhibits no symptoms. He is happier and calmer..of course…and so are we! The head shaking is gone!
We are glad to move into summer with a healthier happier horse!
Wishing everyone…two legged and four legged…a fun and relaxing summer.
It’s spring at Sky Ranch. We’ve had lots of rain and we are green green green! The horses have plenty of grass for grazing, and the cool sunny days are perfect for horse comfort. We’ve seen a few flies, but they’re not abundant yet so that makes it even better. It’s always a little disconcerting when we “spring forward” into daylight savings time. (Without the reminder “Spring Forward/ Fall Back I’d have to check the internet each season to check which way to adjust my non-digital watch!) The horses get to eat earlier so they adjust better than us humans, who have to get up an hour earlier to get them fed on time. I love learning lessons from our four footed friends. And I’m trying to take in this one: the days are longer…make good use of them. Life can be troubling and discouraging. Our horses are elderly, and have had some not-so-wonderful experiences in their pasts. But now it’s spring. More time to graze on lush green grass; more time be in the warm sun after dinner; and have a sleeker coat to boot! Spring forward!
Sky Ranch Sanctuary wants to wish all of you a very happy new year. Let’s hear it for positive changes in 2019!
The photo is of Sheldon in his new Guardian Mask. We think he looks like a rock star and very “L.A!”
A few months ago, Sheldon developed a condition called “Equine Head Shaking Syndrome.” It’s a puzzling condition that causes involuntary shaking of the head. There are several attributable causes, and it can be very difficult to treat successfully. One of the causes is sun sensitivity , and with Sheldon we definitely see some causation of symptoms in regard to being in the sun. He doesn’t exhibit the symptoms in the barn in the evening, and the symptoms don’t start till the morning sun has been up for awhile.
After an exam and consultation with our vet, we visited Dr. John Madigan’s website to look for solutions. Dr. Madigan, at UC Davis, has studied this condition and he recommends the Guardian Mask, which gives extra UV protection. The mask is expensive relative to a regular fly mask, but we wanted to give Sheldon the best protection we could, while still letting him enjoy his time out in the pasture. So far, though still exhibiting some milder symptoms, he seems to have improved, and we are thrilled. The condition can improve during the winter when the sun isn’t as intense, and sometimes the condition just goes away. Fingers crossed.
Thanks to everyone who responded to our 12 Days of Christmas holiday fund raiser. May all of us enjoy greener pastures in 2019!