The weather is always a good topic of conversation whoever you are and whatever you do. For those of us who choose to work outside it has an extra, hugely horrid impact when the weather is bad! In all the years I have been working with horses or on farms in general, I have simply never known the land to be so drenched and so damaged as it is this year. The gateways and access points are literally knee deep in mud. Trying to get the large Haylage bales out across land to horses that are wintering out, is like an army expedition each and every time! The tractors sink as soon as they enter the field and the ensuing mess is enough to break your heart!
As dismal as the conditions are now, the good lord usually allows us the opportunity to heal the land come spring and summer. What appears a vision of desolation in mud now will bounce back to life come late spring time. That thought is sometimes the only thing that makes me feel better when I am on my mobile phone beseeching someone to please pull me and my tractor out of the field as I are stuck fast (again!)
The horses themselves do surprisingly well as a rule. Providing they are supplied with supplementary fodder in the form of adlib Hay, Haylage and, or, hard feed if needed as well, then they have no reason not to thrive. They however, just like us, hate the wind and the rain. They shelter themselves against a tall hedge, backsides to the weather and their heads down! In that position they will patiently wait for the rain to pass, though the sight of them always brings the words THOROUGHLY DEDJECTED to mind!!
For my part, I always have my horses wearing thick waterproof rugs……sometimes 2 as is the case right now. These keep my animals warm and dry ( as well as making me feel less guilty that they are not in nice warm, dry stables! )
There are some health issues associated with wintering horses out. Vigilance on the part of the carer is essential to keep the risks to a minimum. If a horse sustains a cut in a wet and muddy environment, then the chances are that it will get infected. Daily attention with first aid will hopefully be enough to allow a good heal to take place…..all dependant on the severity of the cut of cause. Sometimes the animal has to be given a coarse of antibiotics and, or brought back inside for the time it takes to heal.
Other ailments associated with these horrid conditions are “Mud Fever” and “Thrush”. The first affects the skin on the leg which breaks down as a result of being constantly covered in thick wet mud. The skin becomes open to a fungal infection which becomes very painful, the leg swells and the skin becomes encrusted with deep scabs. These scabs become the umbrella for the bugs to live under and hence have to be removed. The affected horse needs to come in for a few weeks to be nursed.
The second ailment “Trush”affects the underside of the foot. This is basically a foot rot as with sheep and cattle. A mixture of both these ailments was the torture which our soldiers suffered as “Trench Foot” during the First World War. Totally impossible to treat effectively in such conditions but hopefully one can keep under a measure of control (or again bring the horse in to a dry environment with daily treatment.)
Different breeds of horses cope better than others. Obviously the hardy Native type horse is better armed to thrive than say a Thoroughbred. However, if the carer provides adequate forage and is diligent in their observations then it merely needs a hand from a “Higher Power” to help improve the lot of the wintering out horse!
On that note I will leave you with a picture of my little herd doing what they do best……eating! I hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and I wish every one a happy, successful and DRY New Year!!!!
Melanie.
This blog was posted on Monday, December 28th, 2009
