Saturday, July 20, 2013

For the love of a pony




I woke up Wednesday morning to my pony Billy's leg swollen 1 1/2 times it's original size.  As you know we've been working feverishly to prepare for our first combined driving event.  My heart sank, we have 1 1/2 weeks until the big day...what did I do, what did he do...what happened?  I called the vet immediately while I began hosing Billy's leg with cold water.  The picture above is of our progress - day 3.  I was so upset initially, taking a picture of Billy's swollen leg was the last thing on my mind.  

Long story short, I had done nothing wrong.  It would appear that my pony, who has lived in this very stall all his life and who, I might add has never been lame a day in his life, got cast in his stall.  Although, I was over his stall with a fine tooth comb and did not notice the tell tale signs of a struggle, that's our best guest.  Below is a post I shared yesterday on a fb group page I am blessed to be a part of.  A group of artists, aspiring writers and extremely talented people.  I thought I would share Billy's saga on my blog as well.

Day 3 - of hosing Billy's leg. We are making progress! The swelling has come down almost completely. He still has swelling at the bulb of his heel and continues to favor this leg a bit, but seems much more comfortable. My hosing of his leg, linament and wraps overnight are doing the trick. If I had a dollar for all the times I have completed this scenario throughout my life, I'd be rich. The smell of linament in the morning brings back a flood of fond memories with beloved horses and ponies I have shared my life with over all these many years. I might add, while giving Billy a bath on Wednesday, I had 3 sets of pleading pony eyes watching the proceeding. Yesterday, as the day dawned hot and bright, once again, the memory of those pleading eyes hit me just as harshly as the rising humidity and I decided to give the other 3 ponies a complete bath...allowing them to dry while grazing...the total spa package. I have very happy ponies along with one really tired, albeit, content human! Today is a good day at Wind Dance pony farm...

Billy continues to progress, in fact, he went on a bit of a walk about last evening...um...a very strong trot escape to be exact.  This is a whole other story...what an adventure living with Billy pony!  I can say for certain, the boy is back to his ornery self.  Although, we have made the decision to skip the marathon, we hope to  make it for the combined tests next weekend!  Back to work Billy!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Life on our small farm...





It's shaping up to be a very hot day at Wind Dance Pony farm here in Ohio. The heat was already oppressive early in the morning. As I finished up fly spraying ponies, filling water tubs, cleaning stalls and placing the barn fan just so for the ponies, I called the dogs to follow me into the house. My next order of business for the day is to have a cup of tea while checking emails and sending out confirmations for my lessons for the day. As I was sitting at my desk, my sweet collie Alli was doing her low talk and quiet bark at the back french doors. These are the doors where Alli keeps watch over her ponies during the day. I always check when Alli talks or barks at the door. My gaze was greeted with happily grazing ponies...one, two, three, four...all present and accounted for. No apparent problem. I smiled at Alli as I returned to my desk and let her know everything was as it should be. I sat back down and no sooner started typing and Alli started her low guttural talking/bark. It was kind of cute, as she was hiding a bit behind the couch from my sight as she knew I had asked her to stop. But thankfully, she would not be deterred. I'm such a silly human, as I know when Alli talks or barks something is amiss. She is the guardian of our farm and only barks when she is alerting me to something out of place, unlike my two sweet, albeit, goofy Jack Russells. Again, I didn't see a thing but my beautiful ponies enjoying their pasture... Okay, Alli show me. I opened the door and followed her. Alli went immediately to the pasture gate and as I followed her path it was then I saw her... Sweet Libby my smallest JR (pictured brown and white) was sitting on the other side of the gate patiently waiting for me to allow her to join us indoors. Thank you, thank you Alli, collie! The heat must affected me more than I knew...how could I have forgotten about Libby. Libby could have easily went under the pasture fence and went on an adventure, she was sitting in the hot sun waiting...waiting for me. We live on a very busy road and I shutter to think what could have happened. Alli saves the day again! Good girl Alli, atta girl!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Kids and Dogs...A Perfect Combination

I love the dynamic between kids and dogs, a perfect combination...or is it?  The answer to that question these days seems to be a bit more complex.  I do truly believe in the wonderful relationship that can bloom and grow between a child and a dog.  I have experienced that wonderful friendship throughout my life, since before I can remember...I've just always had a dog by my side.  I am blessed!  I remember a time when dogs shared our lives.  I remember my Grandmother singing and talking to our dogs, she taught me how to be with dogs and respect them.  Mostly by what she modeled before me rather than what she spoke.  I woke up early and my dog woke up with me...we played all day long in the neighborhood.  Took dogs on walks, invited them in our little swimming pools, attended  neighborhood pet contests and the list goes on.  I remember the dogs at the horse farm where I worked went with us on trail rides and swam with us in the pond.  By the end of the day both dog and child were tired and slept well.  It was good and a beautiful way of life.  I do remember the odd dog getting hit on the street or road, but I also remember neighbors looking out for not only me but the dogs in the neighborhood as well.  They shewed both dog and child home when it was time and no one felt badly about it.

Now, it would seem we can't be so free.  And certainly I am not advocating turning our dogs loose on the street.  It was the 60's and 70's a different place and time...  I remember the odd dog bite and we knew what dogs in the neighborhood were friendly and which to avoid.  I was never bitten as a child, I think because I spent so much time with my dog and others, I knew instinctively how to speak dog.  Maybe?  Not sure...  But it seemed like it was a more natural way of being with our dogs than it is now.

We buy our dogs the best of everything in 2013...food, clothing and bedding...they live in lovely large homes, with big beautiful back yards. But, it seems to me we've lost something in all of the money we spend on our dogs...we've lost our connection simply in time spent with our dogs.  As a dog educator (trainer) more and more I learn of dogs biting children, of having separation anxiety, of being dog aggressive...and the list seems to be growing.  I read an article recently that stated the number one reason 'American' dogs exhibit all these different behavioral problems is because they are bored.  I think they're on to something.

I am fortunate and blessed to continue to share my life with dogs...everyday...we work together.  I am thrilled that I have opportunity to teach children how to speak dog.  I am happy that my little Grand lady is learning how to respect her canine friends...to be kind and empathetic toward all the dogs in her life.  I hope I am doing my Grandmother proud in teaching or more importantly modeling how to interact in a good and kind way with dogs.

We live in a different day and age...but I believe we can do it! We can supervise, model and teach our children how to be kind and most importantly empathetic toward their animal friends.  I believe we can think of creative ways to allow our kids and dogs to enjoy life together even in our busy, over extended schedules.  I hope so anyway...  When I watch my Grand lady (pictured above) with my small pack, I have to smile...I love the way they are learning to be around one another in a good and kind way...it takes supervision...but well worth the time invested...nurturing a lifetime of friendship!   Kids and dogs, a perfect combination? I say a hardy YES!