Kaspin video, and does anyone read my blog?

Here is my latest video of kaspin! In this video I wanted to show how kaspin is already learning to go without a bridle. Yes, I have a halter and line on Kaspin, but that is last resort. Kind of a safety net. First I use my eyes, belly button, legs, and if all those fail? Then I pick up the reins and direct the front end. I think I picked up my reins 2 times in this video? I also pointed my arm in the direction I wanted to go, but that is just for humans to know where I was headed to on the video. It's not for Kaspin in anyway. If you noticed when we halted. I didn't need my reins either. I did touch them a bit by accident. But Kaspin already knows that once I sit down and relax my whole body that means stop. Kaspin came from a Haflinger breeder who told me she couldn't stop this horse for nothing! Even in a twisted wire, or a kimberwick bit!! I am very proud of Kaspin and thrilled of how fast he picks up new things. I hope you enjoy! What fun things did you do this past weekend with your equine partners?? And does anyone really read my blog? I am seriously thinking of ending it? Give me your thoughts?? Keep it natural, Janine and Kaspin!!

Enzo flipping the cavaletti and getting excited:) Nose update pics July 21st,2012.

Here is a video of Enzo! I was playing multiple Parelli games this day. I also had the cavaletties out to work on Enzo's weak stifles. On this clip, I was asking Enzo to canter. I leave the cavaletties out and it's up to Enzo to either to go over or to go around the cavalettis. This way Enzo can use his brain for thinking. And if Enzo goes over the cavaletti? Then Enzo needs to think of where to place his feet. So that is why I didn't remove the cavalettis for the canter or any part of the Parelli circle game. At the end of the video, Enzo went to a trot. And I let him do it since he kind of spooked himself for the stepping on the cavaletti, LOL. Enzo you make me laugh:)

And here is new pics of Enzo's nose. Since his kick to the face on April 30th, 2012. 

 Right side of face is now normal.

 Left side of face still has a lump above halter nose band.

 Nose front view with flash. You really cannot tell the injury:)

This is a picture with flash. You can see the bug bite size lump on the right side above the halter nose band again. I hope over the next few years, this will look better and better:)

What did you do with your horse this weekend?? Janine, Enzo and Kaspin! 

Kaspin getting feet cleaned, fly spray, saddle, bridle, + standing tied video.

Here is a video of Kaspin being a sweet boy ground tied in the barn isle way. I showed him getting his feet cleaned. Parelli usually does all 4 feet from one side. So you will see me go around a 2nd time just showing that he can pick up all 4 feet from one side. But when I actually cleaned his feet, I did do it from both sides on this video. Since most people do it like this. Then I did fly spray. I use all natural fly spray and I used a lot in this video. Just again, to show Kaspin was fine with it. Then, I went to saddle and bridle. And yes, I do everything for both sides. I saddle from both sides. I put rope halter on from both sides and I lead from both sides. I even mount my horse from both sides. Yes, I love to give them tiny cookies! But I do only give cookies now in the isle way and that is it. So I guess, it's my spoil spot and I love to feed them:) Lastly, I just showed Kaspin standing tied. I had fun making this little video! Have a super horse savvy weekend! What do you have planned with your horse this weekend?? Janine and Kaspin!

Enzo Birth Mark, and neighbors shooting practice. July 15th, 2012

Here is a birth mark Enzo has had, since he was born. It looks like in old scar or a cut, but Enzo was never injured or cut. Yes, my black horse is once again a bleached out bay Friesian! Oh well, Enzo enjoys the tons of outside time!!!



Turn up your volume! I was bummed it didn't come out louder! But the neighbors were doing shooting practice and it was sooooooooo loud in person. Enzo could care less as long as he had his grass!!!




Keep it natural! Janine, Enzo and Kaspin!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ENZO!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO

You made it to your 3rd birthday! Yeahhh, and I am looking forward to many, many more years! So stay out of trouble Enzo!!! On on my way to the barn now! To give you lots of kisses, hugs, and apples!! I so LOVE you Enzo! You make me smile!

XOXOO, Janine

HORSES AND HILLS!

Now that the weather is bearable again. I have been able to play with the boys some more. Yeahhh! We still could use some more rain for the grass pastures though! Anyway, Enzo has stifle problems, since he was 2 yrs old. He used to trip and it would be noticeable on both rear legs. But lately, Enzo mainly has stifle problems in his rear right leg pretty bad and the left rear is pretty normal now. His rear right stifle can lock up at every step! And some times Enzo drags his right rear hoof, because he cannot get his leg to pick up all the time. Backing can even be worse. It will just lock and Enzo cannot back up. Enzo has even gotten apprehensive about moving forward, or trotting. I would too, when your leg keeps failing on you and makes you trip! Poor boy! I have talked to 2 of my vets multiple times about this stifle problem for a while now. There is nothing medically that I can do. Both vets really think Enzo will grow out of this by the time his is 5 yrs old. Enzo is currently 3 yrs old. I sure hope they are correct!!! It kills me to see Enzo like this. Medically they can basically burn his ligament to make it stronger. But it is very painful to the horse and still lots of times this medical procedure won't help. I would never put Enzo through this pain and down time. The last resort medically is cutting the ligament all together so the ligament cannot get stuck. But again, major down time, pain, and your horse could still never be the same!! And of course, there could be other risks. Again, most vets don't recommend this! And I would again never put Enzo through something like this. Sooooooo, the only option is HILL work and and Cavaletti work!! To build up the muscles in that area. I can do that!!!  And I am sure Enzo can do it as well. Lucky for us where I board there are 2 pastures behind the arena that are hilly! There are hills around the property, but this way my horses will be confined if they want to leave me, LOL. Sometimes my 22 foot rope gets under the tummies and I cannot get them to stop. So it's just easier for me to let them go and then re-coop and start again. So being confined in a pasture with hills is awesome!!! Anyway, I have taken Enzo out to the hilly pasture a few times now and Enzo loves it! I loved it also! It was fun and something different! Even if your horse has no stifle issue. I would recommend hill work anyway. It really helps the horse with figuring out their own balance! I can already see a balance change in Enzo in the 4 times I have been out there. Totally awesome! Since I noticed the balance help! I decided to take Kaspin on the hills! Wow, was Kaspin unbalanced also!! I figured! I have only taken Kaspin out on the hills 2 times and he so far hasn't figure his balance out as of yet. But he will get it soon! What fun and great work! I also took Enzo to the arena one day and set up a few cavalettis to keep the work plan always different and fun! I guess, I never really noticed how high horses have to pick up their back legs to clear a cavaletti! Again very good work out for Enzo's knees! Love it! In the past 7 days that I started this. I have noticed Enzo getting around better! He isn't locking almost every step. He isn't dragging his right rear hoof, and he is back to moving around without looking scared now. I still see him trip once and while and I don't expect over night this will disappear! But I can see how hill therapy and cavalettis will help his knee joint as he still matures over the next 4 more years! And at least I know this is safe for Enzo and won't cause him any medical pain:) 

Have you gotten a break from the weather and been able to play with your horses??? 

Keep it natural! Janine, Enzo, and Kaspin!!!

CRAZY WEATHER!

Needless to say, with all this heat. I don't have any fun stories of Enzo or Kaspin. We are all just trying to beat the heat! I wish I could bring my horses into my home for the air conditioning and away from the bugs. I live near Detroit MI and weather here has been nuts. First we had hardly any winter! Ok that one I won't complain about! It was one of the nicest winters I have ever seen. It was so nice to not get the snow blower out every other day. Wear so much clothing that you cannot bend. Or hide in your home because it's -20 degrees outside with the wind chill. Then spring came and we got no rain! That is supposed to be our rainy months! Ok, except for the poor plants and my water bill. I guess, spring was pretty nice. Now we are at summer and still no rain and the heat has been beyond amazing! Just yesterday was another record heat of 102 degrees! We finally have had some crazy rain storm the last 2 days, due to the amazing heat. I am thankful at least for the rain! But the high heat continues. 100 today and 100 tomorrow. Hopefully 87 by the weekend. I sure hope so! My poor electric bill and water bill! I know the heat and weather has been crazy all across the USA! How are you doing and what are you and your ponies doing to stay cool? Or out of mother natures way?? Keep it natural Janine, Enzo and Kaspin!!!

Arnica contest!

Go check out Bitless horse blog http://www.bitlesshorseblog.com/! She is having a fun Arnica contest! All my pets and I use Arnica daily! It is wonderful stuff!


More info on Arnica. ENJOY!!!! Janine
What is Arnica?

The perennial arnica grows from 0.3 to 0.6 m. Oval-shaped, opposite leaves form a basal rosette close to the soil surface. Arnica has bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that, when dried, are the primary parts used. However, the roots and rhizomes are also utilized. Arnica is native to the mountainous regions of Europe and southern Russia. The unrelated plant monkshood (Aconitumspp.) is referred to as wolf's bane.

What is Arnica used for?

General uses

Arnica and its extracts have been widely used in folk and homeopathic medicine as a treatmentfor acne, boils, bruises, rashes, sprains, pains, and other wounds. Overall, there does not appear to be sufficient evidence to support the use of arnica as an anti-inflammatory or analgesic agent, or to prevent bruising; however, heterogeneity of doses and delivery forms (as well as indications) in available clinical studies makes generalizations difficult.

Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses

Internal and external preparations made from the flowering heads of arnica have been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Arnica was used extensively in European folk medicine and alcoholic tinctures were produced by early North American settlers to treat sore throats, as a febrifuge, and to improve circulation. Homeopathic uses included the treatment of surgical or accidental trauma, as an analgesic, and in the treatment of postoperative thrombophlebitis and pulmonary emboli. It has been used externally for acne, bruises, sprains and muscle aches. In addition, it has been used as a general topical counterirritant and a CNS stimulant, as well as an antibacterial for abrasions and gunshot wounds. Arnica is also an ingredient in hair tonics,dandruff treatments, perfumes, and cosmetics.

What is the dosage of Arnica?

Arnica should not be administered orally or applied to broken skin where absorption can occur. No consensus exists on topical dosing, and evidence from clinical trials is lacking to support therapeutic dosing. In homeopathic use, less concentrated strengths such as 200 C, 1 M (1,000 C), and 10 M (10,000 C) (C = centisimal dilution [1 part in 100]; M = millesimal dilution [1 part in 1,000]), are recommended for use pre- and postsurgically; clinical evidence is lacking to support therapeutic dosing.

Is Arnica safe?

Contraindications

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Pregnancy/nursing

Uterine stimulant action. Avoid use.

Interactions

None well documented.

Side Effects

Homeopathic doses of arnica are unlikely to exert any adverse reactions because of the minimal amount ingested. Arnica irritates mucous membranes and causes stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Allergy and contact dermatitis have been reported.

Toxicities

The plant is poisonous and ingestion can cause gastroenteritis, dyspnea, cardiac arrest, and death.