Franciscan Acres

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

Hay PlayBags have been a hit around here! They are easy to fill and very durable!

Rolling thunder promises much needed rain. In anticipation, our herd grazes this morning enjoying a little break from fly masks and fly boots.

St Patrick's Day bling? No, that's the sign of an early spring! While we keep our herd on a diet designed to reduce inflammatory response, some horses do struggle with allergies to insects and pollen this time of year. Spirulina has proven worth it's weight in gold for these sensitive horses, helping control skin reactions, coughes and runny eyes when added to a well formulated diet. Humans can benefit, too! https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18343939/

Jabbar was the most concerned about his procedure. Melissa keenly perceived he is a bit of an overthinker, and helped make the process tolerable. Jabbar had popped up some sharp edges since his last float in August. We are glad we have a schedule that allows them to be seen twice a year!

Even Beau, who is a bit sensitive about his mouth, was quiet and cooperative without sedation. I learned today that Beau has flabby cheeks :) Melissa and Dr T note that some horses just have more tissue in their mouths, which makes bits more uncomfortable to fit, especially when frequent dental care isn't in the program.

Yesterday was a long but fulfilling day. After hoof trimming some beautiful stallions for a client, I came home to catch the the last 3 horses getting their spring denials with Melissa from The Equine Practice, Inc. Our horses were not sedated for these detailed hand floats. Melissa uses patience and communication of intent to gain each horses participation. I'm hoping Delaney Johnson Equine Behaviorist & Trainer has some additional videos and photos to share of the other herd members! Maverick acted as though he was receiving a massage! He was more than compliant, actually seeming to "ask" for the work that instantly made his mouth more comfortable. Here is part of Salalah's float:

We have spent some time exploring scent enrichment in the past ( https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=224245192820043&id=100057036926336&mibextid=Nif5oz) but today Beau reminded me that it can be an important part of a horse's emotional wellbeing. As I picked the track this morning, I got a bit too warm and shredded my sweater. I'll admit I have a tendency to wear farm work attire a few days in a row to minimize laundry. This sweat shirt has seen a little sweat already this week, so I'm sure my smell was easily picked up by Beau's bloodhound scenting abilities. I try not to unfairly romanticize horse's motives. They have almost no frontal lobe and are driven primarily by survival instincts. Even their relationships with us is more about it being a better option from a survival standpoint. But I'll let myself be just a little bit pleased that Beau found my scent relaxing and comforting.

Val at an enrichment station this morning

Good morning, herd(s)!

Our distinguished gentlemen sharing a batch of warm, soaked alfalfa cubes this afternoon courtesy of Resse and Triumph's mom.

Day 12 of our Twelve Days of Enrichment! This is an environmental enrichment that will cost you a few extra dollars and minutes. Let's see what Reese and Triumph have to say about our deluxe bedding surprise:

2:00 a.m. welfare check. We are all doing fine, and we hope you are too!

Aspen and Val pleasantly surprised to find peppermint puffs!