Over the stable door
Greetings Fellow Equines and Horse Owners!
For many of us it has been a stressful summer so far; for those who have lost homes and animals and also those who have done the hard ( and dangerous) work on the ground fighting the fires, cleaning up and protecting those properties at risk. Fortunately for most of us this summer has served as a wake up call to be organised in regards to having a fire plan in place.
A local network via emails/phones is useful. Knowing who is staying and who is going is also a good idea, so the firies can act accordingly. My owners have a fire plan which actually gets updated/changed every year. It is stuck to the kitchen door so all can see. It has been called into use 3 times so far and it was interesting that on each occasion it took less time to implement. Having stock/horses brings extra worry. If moving off the property, this needs to be done a day in advance, especially where there are large numbers. Unbroken horses (foals) can be a problem, so a special plan should be in place for these as they generally will not load willingly in a stressful situation. Last minute training does not have a high chance of working!
Do have a written record of your horses describing age, sex, height, colour, brands and any other distinguishing details. Make sure that the horses do not have any gear on such as rugs or halters. Manes and tails can be well trimmed as they can catch fire. It also may be useful to speak to your vet about your plans to stay or leave. A ready to go first aid kit for horses and humans is essential. Also include spare halters, water buckets, hay nets and other feed. These are just a few of the many things to think of.
The CFS and Horse SA are also contact points for helpful information, so plan ahead, don’t wait til the last minute. Having a plan will enable you in that possible stressful situation to stay calm, go through your list of actions to take and work from there. I have only mentioned a few of the myriad things to remember, because the list will be different for each family and each property. Best to check with the experts as well as comparing notes with neighbours and other locals.
Back to myself, my owners think I am doing rather too well on the grass this summer (nothing new there!).
I am kept pretty fit as I am so prone to putting on those kilos. I am weighed (with a weight tape) most days and usually before and after work, as I always seem to weigh less after working! Mind you my paddock mates are also looking rather good and are subject to the weight tape too. It is not the weight so much as the change in weight which could be of concern, so I’m pleased that my owners care so much about me that they monitor me every day. The daily check is so important for a horse owner (and the horse) as it creates and maintains a bond and the owner gets to know the horse intimately, noticing every little small change. It could be in the temperature of the feet, a small paddock cut or the horse’s general demeanour. For the horse too, he/she gets to enjoy that daily routine of being handled and groomed. For the ‘only’ horse who doesn’t have a companion, this could make all the difference in the world as we are social creatures who not only enjoy but must have that social and physical interaction. Sometimes a human is the only connection we have, which has got to be better than nothing.
We can’t be left out in the paddock like a car in the garage when it’s not being used. So even when not being ridden, we still need that care and attention! Personally, I really enjoy it, even though I have my equine paddock mates to play with, that daily care and groom is an important part of my life. So, keep prepared everybody and be a part of your horse’s life every day!
Safe riding, Hamish