Vet Visit

The vet came out to draw blood for Coggins and do a spring check-up. When the vet comes out, he draws blood from all the horses; then, when he leaves we vaccinate all the horses. The plan was the vet would geld Keeno, but Keeno kept his balls by getting a cold. In this post I will talk about three things: drawing blood, giving shots (vaccines), and treating a cold in a young horse.

Coggins is a name of a blood test that comes from Dr. Leroy Coggins, the veterinarian who invented it. The test determines if the horse is carrying the Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) virus. In order to draw blood for the test, you need to hold your horse in a manner that lets the vet get the blood safely, quickly and efficiently.  The person holding the horse should stand by the horse’s head on the same side as the vet is standing; if the horse moves, it will have a lesser chance of hitting the vet and/or the holder. The person holding the horse should have a really good grip on the lead rope, but should not be nervous or scared. The person should be ready if the horse were to pull back, rear or try to run. The vet will get the blood and send it to a lab to get tested. The results take a couple of weeks and a negative result is required for trailering your horse.

Vaccinations are important. We give our horses Vetera Goldxp+VEE, Potomavac, and Strepvax II.  Vetera Goldxp+VEE helps prevent Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, rhinopneumonitis, influenza, tetanus and viremia. Potomavac vaccine protects against the potomac horse fever. Strepvax II protects against strangles. To give a horse a vaccine, you need a handler, a horse, and a vaccine with syringe and needle. The most common way to give a shot is intramuscular (in the muscle). We place our three shots on each side of the neck and one on the rump. To give a shot, you really just stab it in the selected spot and push the syringe. The person holding the horse needs to be prepared for the horse to react in any way. Out of the 30 horses that the barn owners and I vaccinated, only 3 over reacted to the needle. Now you know how to give a vaccine.

Keeno was going to be gelded on this day; but, after consulting with the vet for a while, we decided to wait a month. Keeno had a cold; we could tell because he had a runny noise, cough and runny stool. After deciding not to geld him, the vet recommended he receive Colostimune and that he gets wormed every month. The vet also recommended that Keeno get red cell twice a day. Keeno should be feeling better in no time at all, and then he’ll get chopped (gelded).

The vet day was very successful. I learned a ton about giving shots and holding horses. I am learning a lot about recognizing/ taking care of a sick horse. What are your thought about keeping your horse healthy.

Works Cited:

http://coursesonhorses.blogspot.com/2008/07/exactly-what-is-coggins.html

http://fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/LSTOCK/001/ITProv_May_2005/h4340e%20Horse%20Healthcare/p029b.gif

Lunging

To teach your horse to lunge, you need a halter and a long piece of rope or a lunge line; a lunge whip is optional. To start out, first take the lead rope in one hand. Point up into the air in the direction that the horse will go. Click to your horse to get him moving. If necessary, tap him with the end of your rope. To start out, do a small circle at the walk. Remember, right when he moves, release the pressure (clicking and tapping). After he gets this down, try to get him out away from you in a larger circle and ask for a trot. After he goes around in a nice even circle, ask him to stop by bending over and saying, “Whoa.” It may take awhile but your horse should come to you or at least face you. After your horse is good at stopping and facing you, try stopping and asking him to go in the opposite direction. Say, “Reverse.” Teaching the fundamentals of lunging helps the horse figure out you are the leader. Now have some fun with it—walk, trot, forward, reverse, stop and start.

Enjoy the video!

Music by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Ao-iNPPUc

Side Passing

All I am doing is pressing the handle of the whip to his side, and not releasing until he moves away from the pressure. After he moves away from really light pressure have him take more steps before pressure is released. Once you are side passing off of the ground, you will have a seamless transition to riding. In no time at all, you will be side passing off of your horse.

If you like videos, please let me know in the comments below. It would help a lot, as I decide which video editing program I should purchase.

Keeno's birthday

Keenos birthday nap.

John feeding Keeno a treat.

Keeno's cake.

Sharing the cake with Princess.

Keeno loved the cake.

Keenos Birthday

Instead of writing an informational post today, I am going to ask a question. Keeno’s 1^st birthday is next Saturday. What would you do to celebrate your 1^st horse’s 1^st birthday?

Keeno told me his birthday wish list.

• ·      At the top of the list is a Pat Parelli halter and lead.
• ·      Next, he would like to get his hormones under control. (The vet has been scheduled.)
• ·      Lastly, he wants to train me (Aaron) to give more treats for less effort.

I am exited to read all the ideas that come galloping in.

introducing horses to cattle

Today I am going to tell you how I started to introduce Keeno and Vegas to cattle. I will tell you why you might want to do this, how I did this, and the next step I will take with my horses. Let’s start this cattle drive.

            Why would I want my horse familiar with cows? Eventually, I want to do some cattle work with my horses. I might rope or team pen with them. Another reason to introduce horses to cows is that cows are popular farm animals. If there is a cow by the trail where I am riding, I want my horse to be fine walking by it. Those are two reasons to get your horse comfortable around cows.

            I was on Vegas and ponying Keeno on a little trail ride when I went past my friend Eva’s two cows. Keeno saw the cows and wanted to go see them. So I walked my horses up to the fence. Keeno loved the cows—he sniffed them. But Vegas was a little more cautious. Then Celeste (the cow) started to lick Keeno, who just stood there while Celeste licked and licked. I didn’t get my phone out in time to get a picture. Keeno was totally fine with the cows and Vegas settled down, too.

           I don’t know exactly how I am going to progress with cows. I don’t have cattle to chase so I would like to find a place that does team penning. Then, on a practice night, I will just go and get Vegas used to the cattle. I will have to wait till Keeno is old enough to ride, and listens to me well, before he can start to chase cows. I can’t wait!!!

    

           I am so exited to get in to some cattle work with my horses. Now you know a little about introducing your horse to cattle. If you know of any places that are good for a beginner cattle worker, please let me know in the comments.

           

Ground Tying

Ground tying is an important skill for any horse to have. Ground tying is a simple but challenging skill to teach your horse. You guessed it—today I will talk abut ground tying. I will go over what ground tying is, how to teach it, and of course how to use it. Let get started.

What is ground tying? Ground tying is a horse standing completely still without being tied or held. Ground tying can be hard or very easy to teach, depending on the horse’s personality. If the horse is a quiet calm horse, it will most likely be easier. On the other hand, if the horse is spooky or excitable, it will probably be harder to teach. Patience is required for all horses and trainers.

To teach ground tying, you need an enclosed space such as an arena or paddock. Take your horse’s lead rope by the end so it is hanging almost to the ground. Then say “stand” or a command you have chosen for your horse to stand still. Stand next to your horse approximately 3 seconds and then give your horse a treat. Reward him!!!! Each time he succeeds increase the time that the horses stands before he gets a treat. After he is standing still for about 30 seconds with you right next to him, drop the lead rope completely. Tell him to stand and walk around him. If he doesn’t move, give him a treat. The next step is to walk 5 to 10 yards away from him before turning back. When he stays put, reward him. Make sure to only reward him when he stands perfectly still. If he moves, grab the lead rope and back him to where he was. Say stand and try again. My weanling Keeno picked this up in about 10 minutes.

When do you use ground tying? I use it a lot. I use it if I need to get a gate, set up a barrel or pole for somebody, or even grab something out of the barn. I also find that the horse knows the word ‘stand’ means to stand completely still. When mounting and dismounting, I tell my horse to stand. If he is moving around when I am grooming or tacking him, I say stand and he will usually stop fidgeting. Sometimes ground tying is one of the obstacles in trail class. Ground tying is a great way to teach your horse patience, too.

Now you know a little bit about ground tying. You know what ground tying is all about, how to teach ground tying and when to use it. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Keeno being a goof ball