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Franciscan Acres Welfare-Based Track System Boarding and Equine Nutrition Consultations

Update: Michael woke up not feeling well, and we have rescheduled out of precaution. Another few weeks! ****************...
14/01/2025

Update: Michael woke up not feeling well, and we have rescheduled out of precaution. Another few weeks!
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Cass and Aspen are headed to Auburn University tomorrow for some medical checks. Nothing serious, but both require more investigation than can be done in the field.

We have wonderful vets that will be the first to say when we have taken things as far as their equipment will allow. I like the option of a teaching hospital where possible. It's often more cost effective, and we get multile eyes on each horse. Diagnostics are top of the line, and we are contributing to the education of our next generation of large animal vets.

I have all the confidence in the vets and techs at Auburn. Still, say a little prayer everyone arrive there and back safely with good new and positive information. Updates to come.

The sound of melting snow and ice is a relief, but a reminder it's time to capture the last photos of this winter beauty...
12/01/2025

The sound of melting snow and ice is a relief, but a reminder it's time to capture the last photos of this winter beauty. Snow and ice is a rare occurrence for us (fortunately). I feel terribly under prepared each time despite all the preparations, still we seem to do a little better each time.

My hats off to our neighbors to the north. I can't imagine doing this day after day for weeks at a time. Here's hoping we all have gentler weather in the upcoming weeks.

As usual, the horses handle it all far better than we do. They all seems happy sunning themselves this morning after breakfast.

Its been a little less than winter wonderland out here. Thanks to the storm that dumped predominantly ice on top of our ...
11/01/2025

Its been a little less than winter wonderland out here. Thanks to the storm that dumped predominantly ice on top of our snow, nothing has been easy. Hay nets are frozen solid, in whatever shape the horses manipulated them last. Fortunately, our Gutzbusta Slow Feed Hay Nets USA have nice wide mouths and refilling was a little easier than would be a more old fashioned design. But with a layer of ice, everything is HEAVY! We have a plan to avoid this type of issue in the future, so stay tuned for that.

I pulled blankets at breakfast. The horses were thrilled. It was good to see their actual shape again.

Auditor may have picked up a few pounds over the last week 🤔

This week we have had some wind chills down in the teens, and because PPId horses often struggle to thermoregulate, I've...
10/01/2025

This week we have had some wind chills down in the teens, and because PPId horses often struggle to thermoregulate, I've been a little more aggressive offering blankets to Salalah than in the past. Yesterday, Madison from MG Equine Therapy was out to work on several horses and noted Salalah's shoulders were unusually tight.

I knew immediately it was because of the blanket. Salalah is seen by Madison regularly because of a fused knee that requires compensation, and it makes sense the additional restriction and weight of the blanket just adds to her burden. I'm spending time this morning looking through some other options for her, but I'm sure everything will require some change in her movement.

This truly highlights, for me, the importance of having a professional put their hands on our horses. Particularly in situations like this, where Madison sees our horses on a regular rotation, she's able to share good feedback about changes in each horse's body that can allow us to be proactive.


I wonder about horses spending many days in blankets during the winter and how that might impact their movement, muscle and fascia.

Snow day 2025I've forgotten how much energy it takes to walk in the snow. But, nets are out, horses fed and all is well ...
10/01/2025

Snow day 2025

I've forgotten how much energy it takes to walk in the snow. But, nets are out, horses fed and all is well here. We did not pick up p**p today, fir obvious reason. I'm sure it's going to be a huge mess when this all thaws out, but we will get caught up!

Are you ready? We think we are! I know our northern neighbors are having a good eye roll. But remember we deal with this...
10/01/2025

Are you ready?

We think we are! I know our northern neighbors are having a good eye roll. But remember we deal with this very infrequently! From our roads to our power grid, we just aren't well prepared for these rare event.

My biggest dilemma is sheet/blanket choices. For me, it's a bit warm to blanket, but at 5a the precipitation starts. Honestly, I hope to sleep in a tiny bit later. Easier choice if it simpky snows some and tapers off. Unfortunately, we change from snow, to sleet to rain in the next 24 hours. I know from experience dealing with cold wet horses is no fun.

So, we blanketed tonight, and put out plenty of hay. The troughs have de-icers. The shelters are ready to go. I've prepped hay nets and even morning feed (minus vitamins and water) so hopefully it's all as smooth as possible. I don't want my boarders braving the roads - again, many will not be treated. So, we came up with a little labeling system for blankets in case anyone's happens to fail 🏷
It's fool proof, and whoever is here can know which one to grab for a specific horse.

Fingers crossed this will end up less ice than predicted!

Good morning, herd! Our real feel temp is 12f this morning, and we have been prepping the last few days for an incoming ...
08/01/2025

Good morning, herd!

Our real feel temp is 12f this morning, and we have been prepping the last few days for an incoming winter weather event.

We are in the midst of some changes around here. Phase 1 has begun!
05/01/2025

We are in the midst of some changes around here. Phase 1 has begun!

Our own motley crew
04/01/2025

Our own motley crew

Day 10 of our 12 Days of Enrichment: take your horse for a walk! Trailer up and head to the nearest horse friendly hikin...
04/01/2025

Day 10 of our 12 Days of Enrichment: take your horse for a walk!

Trailer up and head to the nearest horse friendly hiking trails, or take a stroll down the street. Give your horse (and yourself) a little exercise and enrich their brains with new sounds, sights and smells.

Today we took Beau and his Aunt, Auditor, for a walk down the road. It was a great opportunity to bond with them and change up their environment, despite the wind.

03/01/2025

Day 9 of our 12 days of Enrichment! Hay net surprise!

How many of you went back to work today? 🙋‍♀️

I understand the struggle! We want to offer Enrichment to our herd. We know how important it is. But life gets in the way.

My friends, Enrichment doesn't require a stop at the craft store for canvas and paint. Real life, every day enrichment can be simple and inexpensive.

Tonight, the hay nets had a few carrot and celery pieces prepped with the hay. This is a super easy and rewarding enrichment as our herd forages per their regular routine. As an extra bonus, carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A - much needed as many of us are feeding hay harvested 6 months ago or more.

In addition to celery or carrots, you might add a few handfuls of alfalfa mixed in. Whatever your horse's preference, add (remember all things in moderation) a few special treats to the routine. This activity works as well for stalled horses as for those out on a track such as ours.

Today we painted with the horses, and it wasn't our first time. I did something a bit differently with Beau and Salalah ...
01/01/2025

Today we painted with the horses, and it wasn't our first time. I did something a bit differently with Beau and Salalah today. I had a memory in my mind of each, and when selecting colors, and where to place them on the canvas, I held those memories in my mind. We don't use brushes, just blob or streak paints on the canvas, and the horses take it from there!

I think we made pretty good artistic teams! I'm excited to do more of these in the future. It could be a fun way to commemorate events. 😊

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Day 9 of our 12 days of Enrichment! Hay net surprise! How many of you went back to work today? 🙋‍♀️ I understand the struggle! We want to offer Enrichment to our herd. We know how important it is. But life gets in the way. My friends, Enrichment doesn't require a stop at the craft store for canvas and paint. Real life, every day enrichment can be simple and inexpensive. Tonight, the hay nets had a few carrot and celery pieces prepped with the hay. This is a super easy and rewarding enrichment as our herd forages per their regular routine. As an extra bonus, carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A - much needed as many of us are feeding hay harvested 6 months ago or more. In addition to celery or carrots, you might add a few handfuls of alfalfa mixed in. Whatever your horse's preference, add (remember all things in moderation) a few special treats to the routine. This activity works as well for stalled horses as for those out on a track such as ours.

A little shade and a lot of fans!

We all cool down in our own ways

Val was thrilled to discover the hydration station during the hottest part of the day

Keeping cool on a hot day 🥵 We have have giant forage and salt slurries on the track, but Maverick is shy about eating at the group buffet so he's enjoying his hydration snack in private.

Happy New Year night check! Sorry it's dark, but we have narration!

Val finds a forage cone!

Beau discovered a forage toy on track 1 this morning

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