The BarnYard Stables

11/09/2022

We had a fabulous Agility Clinic today, thank you to everybody who made it such a success! Congratulations to everybody on your ribbon, irrespective of colour, you all deserved it! However, I personally want to congratulate Keri on her red ribbon and high score - what a huge personal achievement! ❤️
We will definitely do something similar in the future, possibly a mix of fun-days and Agility training days. We are tentatively looking at the end of March, beginning April for the next Agility day with Shelley so please do let me know if you're interested in attending. The fun days will happen sooner, watch this space 😄

A big Thank You to Shelley from Scottish Equine Agility HorseSavvy Horsemanship for all her help and expertise today.

08/09/2022

I think this fits here just perfectly ❤️💔

Credit to Eleanor Tomlinson Art for this poignant drawing.

06/09/2022

Seriously?? I'm shuddering just thinking of the potential disaster waiting to happen!

Please tell me this isn’t really a thing?

31/08/2022

We have had one space come available for our Agility event on the 11th September. If you wish to join us, please message me for details.
Amanda

31/08/2022

Horses, while there is a steep learning curve in terms of learning how to train and handle them safely, are not the most high maintenance or difficult animals to care from in terms of a day-to-day barn management perspective.

We often just make them that way.

So many of the problems that make horses difficult to handle and care for are a direct result of their most basic needs not being met whilst those caring for them do all sorts of extra supplements and treatments to solve issues that are only there due to normalized care practices that are not fulfilling the actual needs of horses.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• 𝐇𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞, horses going hours a day without any forages, putting them at greater risk of ulcers, colic and stress behaviours associated with being unable to practice the natural behaviour that is foraging.

NOTE- Foraging accounts for the VAST majority of the horse’s daily time budget so when they are not able to do this, it IS a BIG problem that can cause way more behavioural issues than people anticipate.

• 𝐈𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Horses are herd animals, the entirety of how they function and communicate is catered to their need for companionship from other horses and their reliance on this. Lack of ability to interact with other horses and spending lots of time alone causes no shortage of stress behaviours.

This stress can cause aggression to humans and other horses. Stall vices. General anxiety and spookiness in all situations. Boredom. Apathy. Hyperactivity.

Horses who are kept alone also tend to get less REM sleep than those kept in groups due to their nature as animals resulting in them having friends stand watch as they nap, or finding comfort in napping alongside other friends.

• 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦. Horses are intended to cover large areas of ground, wandering and foraging with friends. In natural situations, this can be up to 25km per day of wandering.

The traditional stalled and/or small paddock environment does not allow for horses to move and self exercise in the way they need to. The amount of behavioural problems this can cause in astronomical.

My old horse, who I stalled the most, was a bolter. He would spook and bolt almost every ride. As soon as he was turned out on large turnout with other horses, even in the absence of ANY training adjustments, this behaviour disappeared completely.

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦. 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞.

These are the basic needs of horses as flight animals and it is not uncommon to see these needs being completely forgotten or not sufficiently met.

Not meeting these needs causes us grief as horse owners by creating behavioural issues, health and soundness problems and making it more difficult to get them to perform willingly and safely for us.

As soon as I started to consistently meet these needs, my horses became easier keepers. Easier to deal with. More dependable and reliable to ride. Calmer. Happier. More interactive.

I cannot list all of the positive changes I noticed.

In addition to my personal anecdotes, there is also extensive scientific evidence and sound proof of the detriments of not meeting these needs.

We can be in denial as a community or we can start the conversation that helps us modernize care and make the needed changes to improve life for horses and their riders.

31/08/2022

31/08/2022

Unlike humans, horses are designed to run on a full stomach. Feeding your horse 2-3L of chaff or a biscuit of hay prior to exercise has two benefits :
1️⃣ The chaff will form a ball of feed in the stomach, which will help prevent acid from splashing up from the lower part of the stomach to cause gastric ulcers.
2️⃣ Blood is normally diverted away from the stomach during exercise, which reduces some of its normal protective mechanisms. Research has shown that feeding your horse before exercise actually reduces the amount of blood that is shunted away from the stomach and also increases the amount of blood delivered to the skeletal muscles and muscles of the chest. So not only are you helping to protect the stomach, you also might be improving your horse’s performance.
For more information : http://ow.ly/CfYy50Dmwnh

23/08/2022

I'm SO guilty of this! I know in my head that my horse will be ok but I still get over-protective at times, especially with the amount of rain we've had the last week. I guess it's time I used my logical head instead of my emotional one 😁

𝗕𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿–𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲.

Whilst we tend to rug our horses in the winter, for most horses rugging in the summer is unnecessary. Rugs may be required during the summer months for insect protection or to protect your horse from the rain. However, even the lightest of rugs can prevent a horse from cooling down. You should only rug your horse if they genuinely need it and keep a close eye on them for sweating and signs of overheating.

Over-rugging horses can be a big problem during the autumn and winter months, as it can be cold in the early morning and during the night. However, during the day the temperature can get into the mid teens, which can cause overheating in many horses that are rugged.

A good quality and well-fitting rug, that is waterproof and windproof, will be most efficient, rather than worrying about tog value.

Your horse’s overall body condition should be your first port of call, when deciding about putting a rug on. Unless your horse is thin
skinned, lacking body weight, elderly or has been fully clipped it shouldn’t need more than a lightweight rug, unless it’s extremely cold.

19/08/2022

Highly recommended!

19/08/2022

This!! I started shifting my perception of horses and riding after I had my accident. Then I met a wonderful lady who unknowingly showed me that my thinking had other avenues/opportunities to travel down.... And I fell down the rabbit hole! Happily!!

I now have a Thoroughbred mare who owns me heart and soul. She knows she is heard, that I see and get her, and that we trust each other totally. We are both on a learning journey that'll last a lifetime. ❤️

There is a shift happening in the equine world.

What will this look like in the not-too-distant-future, for a foal born in the next few years?

We know more about horse behavior and brain function. A deeper understanding of the horse informed by science informs training and horse care across the board.

We define ownership as seeing our horses through to the end, no matter what. We think about this before we seriously contemplate buying a horse.

We teach young equestrians to see horses as sentient partners, to understand the responsibilities of becoming a caring horseperson, not just conveyances for winning ribbons.

We use language that reflects our reverence for, not denigration of, our horses.

We advocate and speak up when we see something amiss, willing to question methods that we don’t agree with, no matter who is using them. We hold one another accountable for our horses’ sakes. This is very different from judgement and criticism.

We listen to our horses, seek softness, and ask why, rather than ignore, use power and demand respect.

We vote with our feet by paying the professionals who do it right by putting the horse, not making money at the horse’s expense, first. These individuals are more joyful than jaded, inspiring, not defeating.

We have a healthy tendency to question tradition, the that’s-the-way-it’s-always-been attitude and methods.

We stop revering champions because they are champions and hold up those who win at any level that put their horses first. And we know how to tell the difference.

We choose equine professionals that invite curiosity, conversation and questions and play nicely with one another, not those who refuse to engage with owners or their colleagues due to a my-way-or-the-highway attitude.

This change is happening, I see it – and advocate for it - every day. Be part of it, or risk becoming obsolete.

14/08/2022

Having cuddles in the grass before coming in for the day ❤️❤️.
It is so hot today she was sweating just lying there.

14/08/2022

Woody, living and loving life 🥰🥰. This makes my heart so happy!

13/08/2022

I've never felt comfortable using gadgets like this, so it's good to see there is actually no scientific benefit to the horse either. I wish more people would work WITH their horse to develop muscle and straightness!

13/08/2022

Integrating mares together... A few huffs, puffs and posing, then eat! 10 minutes from start to finish - pleasantly anticlimactic!

11/08/2022

This is the first time I've seen Savannah lie down in her stable! Ray installed a fabulous camera and antenna and today was the first day it was fully operational! My heart is full ❤️❤️🥰🥰

10/08/2022

So excited, we are adding more obstacles to our Agility Course to be able to provide variety, and support confidence building for both horse and handler. The obstacles range from beginner through to advanced!

Savannah can't wait for the course to be finished - she was happy to follow us over the steps on the mound without any assistance 🤣🤣🤣

09/08/2022

This!! The happiness you feel when you get the right herd pairings! I've never seen Jack socially groom any other horse and he's looking totally engaged and relaxed ❤️❤️
Thank you Bailey, we now have a bromance brewing here at The BarnYard 😂

09/08/2022

Sound OFF 😂
How best to desensitise your pal to farm machinery..... Give them scratches and watch them groom the quad in return..... While it was running 😂😂

Meet Big Jack, he's had a hell of a year due to injury but he's now (hopefully) well on the road to recovery. He still needs to gain some more weight, he's no longer grumpy and actively searches you out to get rubs and kisses while you're in his pasture.

08/08/2022

So this beautiful girl arrived at The BarnYard Stables today ❤️. She took it all in her stride, she was so chilled with traveling, her new stable, new location and lastly, her pasture and future herd mates.
Welcome Stella! ❤️❤️

07/08/2022

What is the attraction between horses and wheelbarrows😂😂.... I think this is the 3rd time Gypsey knocked it over! It can't be to scratch herself because she then just stands, waiting for me pick it up again 😂🥰

05/08/2022

I just love seeing new ponios settle into new homes and new herds! Gypsey was watching over Bailey until I arrived, then she left the guarding to me! I take that as a definite compliment, especially as Bailey was ok with me giving him scratches while he snoozed 🥰🥰

30/07/2022

Sunset dinner at The BarnYard Stables ❤️

23/07/2022

We're so happy to welcome Bailey to The BarnYard Stables today. He's settling in well so far and is ever so curious about the other BarnYard residents! Tig couldn't contain himself - he has a new horse to watch over! 😂

We just love seeing them chill and get stuck into their hay without a worry 🥰🥰

19/07/2022

🤣 This is not what you expect to see at 7am! We had a prison break last night and they happily explored the newly hayed fields, thankfully it was all baled yesterday! It must have been an exciting night as they're waiting for their breakfast now 🤣🤣

10/07/2022

Woody having a pamper session, it's such a lovely hot day for it! He's living the life of Reilly 😂🥰

09/07/2022

Looks like our horses are going to be totally spoiled with this year's gorgeous, bumper crop of haylage - 5 acres of it! We are looking forward to a week of warm, dry weather so we'll probably end up with wrapped hay instead of haylage - wonderful!

04/07/2022

It's fledging time at The BarnYard Stables and we have lots of babies trying to fly, some doing really well and others, well, not so well! This little one had a bit of fluff attached to his leg and he calmly waited while I removed it - and then happily posed for photos. ❤️😍😍
His mammy obviously hasn't told him about dangerous humans yet 😂

30/06/2022

Spot the difference!! Whoot 🎉🎊
No bandages on his right hind! 10 weeks box rest post surgery and today the bandages came off.

Jack's been out in the hospital paddock for 3 weeks after getting very box sour - who can blame the poor boy, I'd go stir crazy too locked in a stable for so long - even though he had a room with a view, thrice daily walks and a huge Monarch stable to move around in!
Yesterday he had a full 5 star physio treatment and he's looking way better already. A huge Thank you to Tanu from TS Therapies for helping him release loads of that stiffness ❤️
TS Therapies - Human and Animal Therapies

23/06/2022

Bucket list ticked for adults and children 😁! Just look at that smile ❤️❤️
We took Savannah and Gypsey to the beach last night (training for Savannah and pleasure for Gypsey) and it was a blast! Savannah was of the opinion that everything was a monster, including logs, sand, seaweed and... Water!! 🤣 She soon settled down enough in-hand for me to then ride her, and I'm so thankful of all the groundwork training we've done together - she stood perfectly still next to a large, scary log so I could get on, she listened to in-hand aids perfectly, she sidestepped and turned with simple ridden aids - all while frantically chewing through her threshold levels! I can't overestimate the importance of building trust and confidence from the ground up! I just love this girl 😍😍
And of course I needed a double when I got home🤣🤣

19/06/2022

Darling Woody looking fantastic and riding well. This is a partnership that's growing ever better, and it's so wonderful to see him looking so happy and well ❤️

15/06/2022

The warm weather has arrived at The BarnYard Stables! You'd think Savannah hasn't been turned out in weeks with the joyous abandonment displayed here.... She's been out every day!! 🤣🤣

09/06/2022

I've recently started doing an Agility course and the first task is to have your horse happy and accepting of a large flag. I think Savannah aced that one!! It took 20 minutes to introduce the flag to her and to reach this point! I must be doing something right 😂🥰🥰

09/06/2022

Savannah joined us for poo-picking today and decided to take full advantage of having an entire field to herself! Tig erred on the side of caution this time - he knew he'd lose this race 😂

07/06/2022

Our assistant groom decided to bath herself after washing Gypsey! It's hot and sweaty work ya know 😂😂

22/05/2022

Happy Woody - standing tall on his very own Pride Rock 🥰🥰.

16/05/2022

Pride!
This is what we feel when we look at our pastures this year, compared to last year. We've taken soil samples and given back what's needed, we've reseeded, fertilised and de-weeded to ensure our hay this year is just perfect! We couldn't ask for better pastures for our horses - not a dock or buttercup to be seen ❤️❤️

15/05/2022

Woody this morning, in horsey heaven ❤️❤️

14/05/2022

It was just lovely to see Woody today, he's looking so happy and chilled! It makes my heart happy to see him like this - he so deserves it!!
That's his best pal William behind him, they're inseparable 🥰🥰

13/05/2022

We're starting to put obstacles into the arena that will form part of our planned agility course in the future. Savannah absolutely loves the barrels and if she had her way they'd become a game to her - she bends around them as if she was born to it! 😍
Today we learned about ground poles and these she wasn't so sure about - they deserved a full investigation pole by pole 😂 - and she still tripped over them 🤣! Next week we will introduce the flag 😱!

Isn't she looking good ❤️❤️