KIS-S

... Keep It Simple - Stupid!

I really don't think we place enough value on keeping things simple!

In London yesterday a colleague and I were discussing the virtues of growing up in corporate life and learning to negotiate with Trade Unions.  We had other great 'career grooming' experiences we shared, all of which boiled down to one premise:

"it takes a lot of effort to make something look simple"

Tonight, as I was enjoying grooming my herd one at a time, outside in the evening warmth I noticed how little I have had to do this year to groom out their winter coats.  Unlike last year where I remember weeks of daily rubber curry combing.  

What's different this year?

Either Grace or Essy insist on sticking out their tongues for Barn Photos!  Always!

I can only think that its somehow linked to less rugging up over the winter.  An advantage of indoor American Barn life has kept the temperature in the stables a lot warmer than normal, and much more consistent.  Less severe rises and falls and no howling winds. 

As a result, is it possible that their skin just hasn't had to 'hang onto' its fur so ferociously?

Essy early June 2014

Solar Sue early June 2014

They've also been out in the field rug free a lot earlier in the year than normal.  All told these things have somehow made a difference.  The thickness of their coats wasn't any less, compared to other years.  Coat loss didn't start any earlier or later, its just required a lot less man power and intervention by me!

Essy's sweet itch has still not returned for another year, nor too thank God did last year's 16 weeks of mud fever 'hell' make a come back!

We've had no mystery rash on Grace's neck, nor any cellulitis and everyone is still barefoot without an abscess in sight! Given all the rain and flooding we endured this winter I'd say that alone was quite a result!

.... Long may it last!

 
I'd say a simple life is paying back ten times over for this little herd of happy horses.  So has it been easy or does it take a lot of effort behind the scenes to have so few problems to show for it?

It does take a continual level of human effort, vigilance and "thinking".   James Hart tonics and Naturally Animals herbs are critical to maintaining internal health, varying what i offer by month and in response to the environment and weather.

This was especially important this winter given we moved yards in October 2013 and didn't know the grass and soil quality, acidity etc. of the new yard, not having experienced a winter there before.

Grace early June 2014

Foot care still takes daily wire brushing, stone removal and close scrutiny.  I check walls for rings, cracks and signs of equine digital elastocis.  Soles and frogs are treated daily with Iodine disinfectant solution. On top of that once a week I carry out a health check on the herd so I know what's normal for each horse in terms of their temperature, breathing rate,  gum colour, hydration, digital pulses and pelvis alignment.

As with any good film, theatrical production or business presentation - there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes to keep different breeds, of different ages in fine 'fettle'.

It's a job I wouldn't swap for anything or with anyone.  It's a job I highly recommend and the devil is most definitely always in the detail!