Trillium Equine Complex

19/02/2025

CAME HOME THIS AFTERNOON!
4 DAYS IN ICU

18/02/2025

MIA... if you have been missing my posts lately it is because I am currently residing in the Critical Care unit at the hospital. I'm doing ok. They are trying to sort out my blood pressure issues which have been through the roof. I might be here for another couple of days as the team of doctors and specialist try to sort out a plan of action going forward. It is challenging getting it under control.

I'm so grateful for all the people stepping up to the plate to take care of my pets at home and the stable especially under these horrible winter conditions. You are tough like me my friends. When they asked me if I wanted to be resusitated, my answer:: "Hell Yes! I've got lots to still do." Just because we are a lilttle long in tooth doesn't mean we give up. Thank you Julie for the pic of old LE. We are fighters of old age! I live for these old horses and my friends.

17/02/2025

ROSIE having some quality playtime with her best friend, Julie. Takes the boredom out of day that meant staying in.

17/02/2025

SNOW BUNNIES from yesterday.

17/02/2025

OUR oldest Morgan, LE, enjoying the snow yesterday. She turns 34 this spring.

16/02/2025

WHY the horses are staying in today. The storm is intensifying by the hour. I made it in but will need my driveway blown out before I travel back for evening feed. I barely got back in on my way home.

There is a strong wind with major drifts forming everywhere. All the horses were fed in their stalls and happily munching away on their cereal and toast when I left. Marilyn did finally make it to the barn, although I had about 80% of the feed done. I really didn't expect her out in this storm. She will stay put tonight.

Depending on how this storm progresses, I may not do the late night barn check or evening mashes. I might be lucky just to make it for evening feed later today if Bob can clear my drive and the roads are passable. Here is a video from 11 a.m. I took. Gates were starting to pack in with snow and it is the very heavy wet type of snow. (sound on)

15/02/2025

IT'S been a very wintry winter this season. As another snowstorm crawls along licking its way eastward, the tractor sits in the ready to blow snow from the laneways and gates. We are currently in a Winter Storm Warning Alert. It will be an early evening barn check tonight.

15/02/2025

LAST NIGHT approaching sunset at the farm. *Photos by Julie.

15/02/2025

THE old Quarter Horse gelding, Star, gets down for a nice roll in the snow yesterday.

15/02/2025

ON the eve of yet another snowstorm, Opal poses in his little paddock at lunchtime.

15/02/2025

HAPPY FLAG DAY 'from sea to sea to blessed sea'.

13/02/2025

ROSIE gets compliments from the farrier as he trims her up. Mr. Chips also got his hooves done. I need to tune him up a bit. He was rather impatient and a wee naughty.

13/02/2025

THINK I look a bit cold? I was/am! Second last horse to be done. My gentle stallion, Opal stands patiently to have his hooves trimmed. We spent the next better part of an hour resetting and trimming Big Al. Even with all they layers on, that crushing cold gets to you standing there. *Pic by Julie.

13/02/2025

THOUGHT I might post a few memories from time to time about horses I have bred or owned. Everyone has a story behind them and a life lesson learned. Here is one of them.

TRILLIUM'S CHERUB (Trillium Samson x Kennan's Rhapsody) foaled 1993 owned by Patricia. Patricia credits Cherub for being her salvation as she fought cancer giving her the will and strength to conquer her disease. Nothing could be more precious to her than this mare.

13/02/2025

MY fingers are stiff, red and stinging from the bitter cold and wind out there. My gloves dropped out of my pocket this morning on the way to the farm so I had none to work with. (I later found them in the basement when I got home laying on the floor.) Hands in my pockets mostly, but I found that just a few brief seconds in that very strong wind outside, froze them good! They are pretty red at the moment as I slowly peck away on the keyboard to type this post.

It was day two of the farrier and the barn is finally caught up on trims. We did nine horses this morning and managed with some difficulty to get Al reset and a trim behind. He is struggling with hind issues at the moment so it was an effort indeed. It's his last farrier appointment at the farm. Al moves back to his owner at the end of the month as his lease expires with Kristen. Everyone has quite a soft spot for Big Al and we are going to miss him after a year at Trillium.

We also welcomed a new recruit to the Trillium Order of Equine Companions this morning. Please give a big welcome to Mary from Newcastle way. Mary was involved with horses as a child and is now looking forward to being reunited with horses once again after so many years of absence. She couldn't have picked a more challenging day than today for her first adventure at the farm. Not to fear, Marilyn put her straight to work mentoring her along the way while I worked with the farrier and doing other things.

13/02/2025

AYLA had her lesson tonight as the storm is slowly picking up wind with some flurries to blow around. Not sure how much of a snowmageddon we will get by morning or later in the day. For now it is pretty tame and feeling like -18 at the moment according to the weather alerts. I'm still thawing out from today's business in the barn. I do it again tomorrow. If the storm hits, the horses will just get trimmed and left in for the day. We will see what daylight brings.

12/02/2025

STRANGLES outbreak in Kawartha Lakes region reported. Reminder to practice bio-security protocols on all equine farms.

https://equinediseasecc.org/strangles?fbclid=IwY2xjawIY2ztleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVpc0GN_tF-JxCH8ZINAMLQCzZmLA6Knbd9MAlK1fJfqodBGVu3Mev_zig_aem_QdkAQaL6hth7edA-EgoNlw

The upper respiratory disease commonly referred to as strangles is caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi. Strangles is spread from horse to horse through direct contact. Horses can also contract the disease by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. The disease is highly infectious.