Hickory Hollow Stables

11/10/2024

Meet our barn cats. Adopted from a local TNR rescue. Purrcey, Mittens, Bluebell.

11/08/2024

11/07/2024

10/11/2024

The Northern Lights didn't disappoint tonight.

10/09/2024

Though rare, this has been seen in MO. Especially during a drought.

Here's is another excellent post from one of our equine ambulatory elective students, Nicole Vasquez. Pigeon Fever seems to be on the rise in mid-MO!

10/08/2024

The outdoor arena at night.

10/01/2024

09/27/2024

The_Best_Comic_Horse_Of_The_Day

09/25/2024

Rainbow tonight.

09/07/2024

Sunset is my favorite time at the barn.

09/06/2024

Sunday, fun day.

09/05/2024

UNDERSTANDING PROUD FLESH ✍️

Wounds on the bodies and limbs of our equine companions are exceptionally common. In particular, wounds on lower limbs can be especially difficult to manage. There is little extra skin in these areas, making large wounds difficult to close via suturing.

In addition, wounds on the lower legs are contaminated easily with bacteria since they are closer to the ground, bedding, and manure. The constant movement of an animal's legs as it walks, turns, and bears weight can also greatly impair healing, especially if the wound occurs over a joint. All of these factors can often halt the normal progression of the healing process and result in a chronic wound.

Persistent inflammation, along with infection, is a major contributor to exuberant granulation tissue (or proud flesh) formation in a wound. Proud flesh is not conducive to wound healing as it prevents the wound from epithelializing (the process of the skin cells covering the wound), and sometimes it can become so large that it appears to be a tumor, usually obliterating the original wound.

Prevention of proud flesh involves good wound management. For the best healing, wounds should be identified and treated quickly and properly — especially on the lower limbs. Consult your veterinarian about any wounds that appear deep or extensive, that lie over important structures (like joints and tendons), or that already show signs of proud flesh development. Rather than waste time and money in trials and errors that could delay your equid's healing, ask your veterinarian what products are best for your situation.

08/31/2024

I remember them in KC many years ago.

Dick Sparrow was the driver of this massive 40-horse hitch appearing at a Fourth of July parade, circa 1972.

The sight of forty horses arranged in ten rows of four large Belgians was truly remarkable at the conclusion of Milwaukee's circus parades, with Elmer R. "Dick" Sparrow at the helm of this impressive team.

Dick Sparrow, a robust individual, required every bit of his strength to manage the reins when the 40-horse hitch made its debut at the Fourth of July Schlitz Circus Parade in 1972.

Prior to bringing the 40-horse hitch to Milwaukee, Sparrow faced the challenge of logistics, as the last significant attempt at such a large circus parade unit had occurred at the turn of the previous century. Renowned in draft horse communities, Dick Sparrow, a resident of Zearing, Iowa, was approached by Chappie Fox, the founder of the circus parade, who inquired if he could undertake this endeavour.

Dick Sparrow confidently affirmed his capability. However, he noted that no teamsters experienced in driving 40-horse hitches were still living. With Fox's assistance, Sparrow meticulously examined photographs from the 1890s using a magnifying glass to understand the intricacies of the harnesses and hitching methods. He then devised a plan, assembled his team—carefully placing horses with varying temperaments in designated positions—and practiced extensively before arriving in Milwaukee.

"It was enormous. You could see the horses long before the wagon came into view," recalled Dave SaLoutos, who took on the role of circus parade director in 1989.

SaLoutos expressed admiration for Sparrow's skill, noting that in subsequent parades, Sparrow's son Paul would also demonstrate the ability to halt the team next to the parade reviewing stand and reverse them.

"It was likely our top attraction, which is significant considering the many favorites we had in those parades. We typically reserved it for the finale. People would certainly remain to witness it," SaLoutos remarked on Wednesday.