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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

As for Bruno ...

Himself, having a munch of lunch. It's become very cold again, so he is wearing a quilted blanket under his winter blanket. It feels like about -5C out there right now, with a howling wind, too.

That scraggly weed is dock weed. When I looked it up, the note said it might cause an allergic reaction in horses if ingested. I believe this was the culprit that caused Bruno's hives, which are still being treated.

There was a line of the weeds along the fence line [nothing but barely visible stumps now], and I have now roped this area off.

He also pruned the honeysuckle I had planted along one side of the ring. Believe me, there were plants there. :) Thankfully, they are not noxious for horses, and grow very well even when cropped to the ground by someone with teeth needing exercise.

He also re-contoured the fence ...

... and the fence posts.

This is the new charger I bought yesterday, as the old one was doing nothing.

Last night, when I went to feed him around 9:30, this insulated handle was on the ground, not hooked up to the connection, as I had left it.  He had obviously been playing with the gate, and knocked it to the ground.  And when I opened the gate to go in, he jumped up in the air and 6 feet backwards. Usually, he is at the gate, over the gate, mugging me for goodies. So, it seems the zapper is doing what it is meant to do.
Horses like to chew, some of them more than others, and some develop neurotic behaviour associated with chewing -  usually the more highly-strung and very bored horses. They will chew and gnaw wood like beavers! Some people resort to trying various unpleasant-tasting solutions applied on the wood [which doesn't work]; others will put a top-line of metal stripping on the fence; and some resign themselves to their horses' habit, and just replace the boards as they are chewed through. I have found, for this property, the electric fencing works best. It delivers a relatively mild jolt - I know, as I have been at the receiving end many times. It's just enough to discourage most horses from chewing up the fences. There you have it - a little introduction to fencing-in horses.

Thank you so much for dropping by. I hope you enjoyed the post!!!

11 comments:

  1. He's acting like a puppy - a very big puppy - lol.

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  2. Thank you for updating us on Bruno. When horses get reactions from stuff- it can be scary times,,,not knowing for sure.
    We hope he keeps getting better. We found the electric fence works best too.
    love
    tweedles moms

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  3. Always interesting to hear about your farm problems, certainly something I hadn't thought about. Hope this takes care of the weed problem and Bruno's hives. Hope you have a much better weekend than your last week or so.
    Looking forward to seeing the koi when they are done.

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  4. I do hope you've found the culprit of Bruno's allergic reaction and hives! Poor boy - perhaps he needs a a playmate of some kind? If not another horse, maybe a goat or a dog or...hmmm...what else? I've heard that horses will gnaw wood when they are bored or just as a neurotic habit (like my chewing my nails still and unable to stop for very long - the longest I've gone without chewing the nails is 3 months and my nails looked so pretty then). So, I can feel his pain (as Bill Clinton used to say). Take care, stay warm and safe.

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  5. You're such a good Mommy, Kathryn!!!! Bruno looks so comfy with his blankets on him. And I missed your latest Koi painting...its coming along really beautifully. Nice colors and love the dark background..I always look forward to your WIP....Enjoy your day, my friend.....

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  6. You are taking so good care of him ..like a mother's love for her child. xx

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  7. Poor Bruno! I hope he is back to his normal self soon xx

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  8. I know your horse quandaries all too well, Kathryn! Looks like you've got it all under control now though. Bruno is a lucky boy to have such a great mom!

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  9. Thank you for your visit to my blog Kathryn. I really appreciate your comments. Your horse is a beauty and well taken care of by the looks of things. I hate to tell you that -5 is not too cold. :) It has been close to -30 here all week! My pups won't go out for a walk. The look out the door and go back to bed. Smarter than i am i guess. :) have a great day and happy painting.

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  10. I knew nothing about fencing in horses, now I am enlightened. :-)) I do know that horses aren't the only ones who will chew anything when they are bored. Our lab I gnawed away on his paw till we got the idea and started exercising him more. House animals need more than petting. It's always a pleasure to visit your life. It's so different from mine, an enjoyable change.

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  11. Pampered and much loved, Bruno is a lucky boy!

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