Linton Springs Livery

24/06/2023

Start them young

18/06/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=806550767498175&id=100044297776085&sfnsn=scwspmo

Struggling with a good doer due to the recent grass growth? ☀️

Limiting the time your horse spends in the field may not always help them lose weight, as this can actually encourage them to eat at a faster rate. If you have the facilities, a track system is a great way to reduce grazing and get your horse moving around. Other options can include strip grazing or grazing multiple horses on one paddock.

Find out more on how you can manage your horses weight here 👉 https://bit.ly/3N69hE7

17/06/2023

15/06/2023

Please feel free to print out and post in your yard or share

HI RES ENGLISH VERSION HERE >https://drdavidmarlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/DM_HeatwavePoster_A4_high-2.pdf

HI RES GERMAN VERSION HERE >https://drdavidmarlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/DM_HeatwavePoster_A4_DE.pdf

13/06/2023

Did you know that a horse can drink up to 55 litres of water a day - and more in this hot weather. Horses rely heavily on sweating to keep cool and can produce sweat three times as fast as humans. That means they're at high risk of dehydration if they don't have continuous access to water to replace the large amounts lost as sweat, plus they also need their salt levels topped up. All of our fields and tracks have automatically refilling water troughs and salt licks to help our horses cope with this hot spell!

04/06/2023

Poor Taz had a nasty bout of Colic this morning but due to Kayleigh recognising the symptoms quickly and making sure a vet was on his way he so far has bounced back but he's not out of the woods yet so prayers are lifted for a full recovery

02/06/2023

01/06/2023

Why is cut grass dangerous?

Horses eat grass, and they eat hay - but they cannot consume grass in the stage in between. The main reason for this is that cut grass starts to ferment (which is why they feel warm to touch), and the fermentation process will continue inside a horse's gut, which is extremely dangerous. Grass cuttings will release gases which cause the gut to expand and often rupture as this gas cannot be released. Many horses have died as a result of members of the public putting lawn cuttings over the fence into horses' paddocks.

26/05/2023

Friday focus….ragwort!

Armed with my Rag Fork, wheel barrow and rubber gloves, I set about digging up the ragwort rosettes around my horses fields this morning before they get chance to flower and germinate to try to reduce the amount we have next year! Getting them in the rosette stage before they flower is the best time to get them. Here are a few facts about these pesky weeds;

• each plant can produce up to and over 150,000 seeds

• cut & pulled flowering ragwort has a 70% seed germination rate

• drying it out does not reduce the toxin level, so if it's in your hay, it is equally as poisonous

• it's more palatable when dried as it loses it's bitterness

• eating it in any state can cause cumulative & irreversible liver damage and in severe cases can cause death

• digging out with a rag-fork ensures the roots come with it

• Ragwort can also be toxic to humans, wear waterproof gloves when handling

• drying & burning is the most effective way of disposal

The ragwort I dug out this morning are in a nice pile with the sycamore seeds waiting to dry out a bit before they are burned. Hopefully my efforts this year will continue to pay off again and we will have less again next year!

22/05/2023

21/05/2023

So glad this isn't one of our paddocks all those buttercups may look pretty but they are toxic to horses

19/05/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=711300124338904&id=100063767670182&sfnsn=scwspmo

19/05/2023

Please be REALLY careful with the grass this week. I have been out to a couple of horses (not native fat ponies, but a shod thoroughbred and a very fit/lean warmblood) who both have raised pulses and sore feet after being turned out for one day on “better” grazing. I also received a phone call this afternoon about a 3yr old pony with no history of laminitis, who is rocked back off her toes. Finally, tonight I came home to find that my own highland has a rock hard neck and looks bloated, even on very restricted strip grazed track. The grass out there is frankly dangerous at the moment. Please, please be cautious!

(EDITED TO ADD THAT I AM IN THE UK)

12/04/2023

Very sad day yesterday for one of our longest standing liveries as she said goodbye to her gorgeous mare

29/03/2023

Ragwort crowns are appearing well with the wet and warm weather please be vigilant and dig out before they flower this really is the best way to prevent them spreading

26/03/2023

04/03/2023

Very true!! 🤪🤪🤪

22/01/2023

I’m borrowing this….

Credit to David Marlin

19/12/2022

Happy Days 😊

27/11/2022

If you see someone struggling offer to help instead of criticism

25/11/2022

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐨 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤?

🪱 Most importantly, it can minimise the worm burden
🌾 Encourages growth of healthy grass, which in turn may reduce your feed bill
🌷 Its easier to spot poisonous plants

Pasture management might seem costly and/or time-consuming but it really is worthwhile – even small changes can make a big difference and if you view it as an investment in your horse’s health all of a sudden it’s worth every penny! 🐴❤️

19/10/2022

Determination was beaten by running out of daylight followed by headtorch dying. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully then the winter paddocks will be ready

16/10/2022

Very busy weekend trying to get the winter paddocks ready almost there now though.
One last push and it should be ready at last

01/10/2022

Where there a will there's a way new fencing going up in winter paddocks

04/09/2022

Busy afternoon yesterday laying a new surface in the round pen that our laminitic pony uses

01/09/2022

2 Stables currently available
All year turnout (in overnight in winter)
Outdoor arena with floodlights
Fantastic hacking