MY STABLE LIFE | Western Horse Review

Greycup Reflections & Help for a Rare Present

BLOGS, MY STABLE LIFE November 29, 2010

It’s kind of a sad day here at the farm. By now I’m sure you are all aware that the Roughriders lost in their quest for the Greycup, for a second time ’round yesterday.

Everybody has their own way of coping. Defeat was written all over quarterback Darian Durant’s face as the game moved into the final few seconds of play. When it was over, each of our friends wore the same shocked looks on their faces as we all departed from the Greycup party. And immediately after that, my husband felt the urgent and drastic need to move snow with his tractor.

But today is a new day. And lots of interesting things are happening these days as well. The 2010 Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK, wrapped up another year this past Saturday. Shawn Flarida and Shine Chic Shine are currently sitting at the top of the leader board in the Open Futurity division, as the end of the first go draws to a close and the second one begins in Oklahoma City, OK.

Oh and my husband has caught on to my Christmas shopping plans… While that may be a crime in itself, the real injustice is that I can’t find what he wants – anywhere! And I’m hoping that one of you fine friendly readers can help me? If anyone knows where I can purchase a rare DVD release of the inspirational, true story “Pharlap,” please drop me a line!

Please note that of the few DVDs I have found available for sale on the internet, all thus far are Region 4 versions – meaning they only work in places like New Zealand or Australia and will not play on North American machines. We’re looking for a Region 1 DVD.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

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Hot Pink Snow Angels

MY STABLE LIFE November 24, 2010

Blue, one the farm dogs comes out for a visit.

It’s a balmy -17 degrees Celsius here in Regina, SK, today. For all my American friends, that’s 0 degrees Fahrenheit. So it’s actually warmer than it has been in a few days, however the snow just won’t let up! I’m sure we’ve got almost 3 feet of it now, with the accumulation over the last few days. At the beginning of today, we all thought the beautiful snowflakes coming down were still pretty cool. Even the dogs were out for a good run. But part way through – when we realized it wasn’t gonna quit anytime soon – the snow wasn’t such a novelty anymore.

The dogs disappeared, returning to their warm beds in the heated shop.

The barn horses stood at their paddock gates with looks that read, “Please take me in now!”

And Clay had to spend a good part of today moving snow. Unfortunately, since his return from Oklahoma (which meant a 30-degree difference in climate for him), he has been battling the flu ever since.

So now, I am incredibly thankful for the heated tractor cab he talked me into earlier this year.

“Why would we ever need that…?” I questioned.

Well, it turns out, it comes in pretty handy when your husband has to spend 4 hours outside moving white stuff around…

The snow had become so piled up around gates that we could barely get horses in and out anymore.

And some pasture drifts are dangerously close to swallowing up entire fencelines. Which means that soon we are also going to have to snow blow the pastures – to prevent horses from walking over top of the fences and out into the open.

I haven't quite figured out why my mares don't want to go INTO the shelter...

This kind of weather also makes me thankful for hot chocolate, insulated gloves and Puffs plus Vicks Vapor rub kleenex.

A word to the wise: Vicks Kleenex are wonderful for noses in the winter, but don’t use them to dry any tears in your eyes!!

Work on the hay shed continued today…

And Clay keeps wondering if the hot pink blankets are multiplying these days, or if his cold medication is just really potent…

What can I say…? They’re good winter blankets.

At least I’m not putting them on his stallions!!

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Foal Vaccinations

MY STABLE LIFE November 23, 2010

Ensure to protect your foals with the added benefit of a vaccination protocol.

Immunity is the ability of an organism to be able to resist and destroy micro-organisms. Just as humans do, horses have 2 forms of immunity: natural and acquired immunity. As you might suspect, natural immunity is the horse’s inborn ability to resist disease and infection. Acquired immunity comes from natural exposure to disease carriers, recovery from an infectious disease, antibodies obtained via the placenta or ingested through colostrum at birth, or vaccinations given to the horse to product antibodies against a specific disease.

Despite the fact that the snow may already be flying where you live, if you haven’t yet vaccinated your foals this year, there’s still time. The important thing is to get it done! When incorporated into a program that includes regular deworming, a good nutrition program and a safe environment, your foals will be aimed towards to a healthy future.

So when it comes time to book your veterinarian appointment, what vaccines should you ask for, for your foals? Well, there are several specific immunizations needed but many depend upon your foal’s age, exposure risk, value, general management and geographic location. Your best bet is to discuss a protocol with your vet. However, here are a few basic considerations:

1. TETANUS - Tetanus is caused by toxin-producing bacteria present in the intestinal tract of many animals and found in the soil where horses live. Spores enter the horse’s body through wounds or the umbilical cord of newborn foals. Tetanus is a constant threat to horses and humans and as such, horses should be vaccinated against it annually. Foals can receive their first tetanus vaccine as early as 6 months of age if the mare was vaccinated within 30 days of foaling, or 3 months of age if the mare was not vaccinated. Talk to your vet.

2. ENCEPHALOMYELITIS - This disease is often referred to as “sleeping sickness” and caused by Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) or Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE). These two strains of the disease have been seen throughout North America. A third version, Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE) has recently been seen in Mexico. These diseases are usually transmitted via mosquitoes and the symptoms vary a great deal, however they are result in the degeneration of the brain. Foals can be vaccinated at at 6 months of age if the mare was vaccinated within 30 days of foaling, or 3 months of age if the mare was not vaccinated. Talk to your vet and specifically ask if your foals need a encephalomyelitis booster.

3. INFLUENZA - This is one of the most common respiratory diseases in horses and the virus is highly contagious. Horses that travel or are exposed to high horse traffic should be vaccinated regularly against it. Flu viruses can result in nasal discharge, fever, coughing and loss of appetite. The disease can be expensive to treat and it usually very uncomfortable for your horse to endure. Foals can be vaccinated at 6 months of age if the mare was non-vaccinated. Often, this vaccine is given in combination with the rhinopneumonitis vaccine. Which brings me to my next bullet point…

4. RHINOPNEUMONITIS - It’s important to know that there are 2 very different disease viruses: equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4), that cause 2 different diseases, which are both known as rhinopneumonitis. Both cause respiratory tract problems, however EHV-1 can also cause abortion in pregnant mares, foal death and paralysis. As mentioned above, foals can be vaccinated at 6 months of age if the mare was non-vaccinated. Speak to your vet about Flu / rhino boosters.

5. STRANGLES - No matter where you live, Strangles is a highly contagious disease you should hope your foals never have to deal with. That’s we vaccinate our entire foal crop, every year within the first year of its life. Now if your foal does contract this disease, consult with your veterinarian for a treatment protocol. If your foal has contracted Strangles in the first year of its life, ask your veterinarian about vaccinating this animal specifically – some vets think the horse may receive enough immunity from being exposed to the disease in the first place.

There are some side-effects associated with the vaccine, which is a modified live virus – meaning the virus cannot cause serious disease in the horse – allowing it to provide longer lasting protection. However, as such this class of vaccine is often not recommended for pregnant mares. The efficiency of this vaccine has been questioned by many vets because outbreaks can occur even in vaccinated herds. However, we have always remained under this steadfast rule with our own horses: “Even if our horses do contract the disease after immunization, the outbreaks of the disease will be less severe than if we didn’t vaccinate then.”

This vaccine is given intra-nasally and can be given to foals starting at 6-9 months. This vaccine requires a booster administered 3-4 weeks after the initial intra-nasal shot has been given.

6. RABIES - Rabies is a scary disease that always results in death. Luckily, it is more prevalent in some areas than others – concern areas include southern Saskatchewan and Arizona, therefore our entire herd receives an shot against Rabies every year. If you also choose to vaccinate your foals against rabies, your veterinarian may not want to administer it on the same day as other vaccines as some serious health threats can occur. Foals can vaccinated against rabies at 6, 7 and 12 months of age if the mare was vaccinated.

In summary, it is my personal belief that there’s really a lot to gain, and everything to lose when it comes to vaccinating your foals.

Administering Penicillin

BLOGS, MY STABLE LIFE November 22, 2010

Yes, I am a trainer’s wife but there are a couple of things down at the barn that I loathe. One of the them is hooking up a trailer. And the second is giving a penicillin shot. Penicillin is a potent, antibiotic often used in horses against a variety of pathogenic organisms. I figure my reason for hating these sometimes necessary tasks is because any mistake I make in doing either, would likely result in the death of an animal. A trailer that comes unhooked on the highway is dangerous to me, other drivers and the precious cargo I have in the back. A penicillin shot gone wrong can be potentially and immediately fatal for my horse. For that reason, I decided to research some little known facts about the drug and helpful tips for administering penicillin:

• I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that you must always ensure you give penicillin shot with a sterile needle and syringe, (never reuse a needle because a contaminated needle can easily introduce an infection into a horse.) But it may be helpful to know that the size of the needle depends on the medication being injected. A large-diameter needle (18 gauge) works best with thick solutions such as penicillin, while a smaller-diameter needle (20 to 21 gauge) is good for thin, watery solutions.

• Most IM shots are given to adult horses with a 1-1/2-inch needle so that the medication is injected deep into the muscle mass. Foals are usually given IM injections with a 1-inch needle.

• Penicillin is very commonly administered to horses in a formulation known as penicillin procain G. The procaine is a local anesthetic which is related to lidocaine, novacaine and believe it or not, cocaine.

• When administered properly, penicillin usually does not result in a problem. But care must be to ensure procaine penicillin is always injected intramuscularly. If it is administered into IV or into a vein, it can be dangerous and potentially fatal for your horse. If the drug is accidentally injected into the horse’s bloodstream, the procaine goes directly to the horse’s brain and causes the animal to tremble violently and throw itself over backwards. There is no antidote for this reaction and it is not only dangerous to the horse, it is extremely dangerous for bystanders. For that reason, after you have inserted the needle into a designated injection site, you must pull back on the syringe plunger a bit to make sure there is no blood in the syringe. (Or if you prefer to put the needle in first and secondly, attach the syringe filled with medicine, watch the hub of the needle to see if it fills with blood. If blood is present, remove the needle and start over. Never follow through with the injection if you see blood! When you can pull back on the plunger and no blood appears, it’s safe to inject the penicillin into your horse.

• Penicillin also has the ability to trigger allergic or anaphylactic reactions in certain animals that can occur unpredictably with varying intensity. Should this happen, discontinue use of the penicillin and call a veterinarian immediately. Allergic reactions typically require previous exposure to the drug and then the problem is manefested by hives and head swelling. Occasionally, it can also result in massive constriction of the airwaves and sudden death.

Long acting penicillin. Around here, we only use this if our cattle require it.

As there are many great antibiotics are available to your veterinarian these days, it’s possible penicillin may not be prescribed in unfortunate circumstances that affect your horse’s well being. But if it is, just remember that procaine penicillin G is a very beneficial drug to use in the war against wound infections, secondary bacterial infections in respiratory diseases, and various other injuries or diseases. Always consult with your veterinarian before administering a penicillin regime so you clearly understand this drug’s proper dosages, frequency of administration and withdrawal times.

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A Collection of Wonderful Reads – Pt II

MY STABLE LIFE November 18, 2010

As promised, My Stable Life returns today with a couple more delightful books. If you missed the first installment, check out yesterday’s:

A Collection of Wonderful Reads

And if any of you have some great reading suggestions, by all means let me know! I love books that come with recommendations.

But without further adieu, let’s begin with the last three reviews:

HALF BROKE HORSES, JEANNETTE WALLS, $34.00 CDN Hardcover
THE GLASS CASTLE, JEANNETTE WALLES, $16.50 CDN Paperback
It’s hard to discuss Half Broke Horses without also mentioning author Jeannette Walls’ other publication, The Glass Castle. I’ve read both. Both books feature Walls’ fabulous eloquence and talent as an author with storytelling fashion. Both books are true-life novels. And both are spectacular recounts of Walls’ family history.

But I enjoyed Half Broke Horses in a way that doesn’t even compare.

The Glass Castle is a spellbinding memoir of Walls’ childhood growing up as the daughter of Rex and Rose Mary Walls. As one of four children, Walls tells of the family adventures doing the “skedaddle” and living like nomads across southwest desert towns, surviving starvation, fires and poverty and picking stars out for Christmas presents. She describes stories of her Father Rex, who was a charismatic dreamer and would drink the grocery money away. And of her mother, Rose Mary, who preferred to create paintings over making dinner for the family. It’s Jeannette Walls’ own life, in her own words and written with such fondness and genuine adoration for her parents that it left me shocked. The Glass Castle struck me to my absolute core and made me think, “Some people do not deserve to have children.” I know that sounds harsh, but it’s honest. And yet, the author doesn’t echo my sentiments. This book is a true testament to the human spirit and is a story of forgiveness that only love – in its truest, most genuine form – can offer.

Half Broke Horses on the other hand, studies Jeannette Walls’ family history one generation further back. It is the riveting tale of Walls’ grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, mother of Rose Mary Walls. Lily was a horse trainer by the tender age of 6, a teacher by the age of 15 – riding over 500 miles alone on her black and white mare named Patches to get her first job – and a bootlegger, rancher and pilot later in life. She endured the Great Depression, tornadoes, floods, harsh winters and heartbreak. She was a true cowgirl and possessed a spirit akin to a half broke horse herself. In many ways, I found myself able to relate with Lily Casey Smith when it came to her experiences with prejudices, untamed horses, personal tragedy and her sheer desire to live her life to the fullest.

As told by the author in a first-person voice, Half Broke Horses is true-life fiction book in light of the fact that Jeannette Walls had to fill in some of the details herself. Nonetheless, this is her grandmother’s story, as told to her by her mother and features the tenacity of a tough-minded, lion-hearted woman in the difficult era of the Wild West.

STAMPEDE!, GORDON PITTS, $21.95 CDN Paperback
I’ll admit, I actually picked this book up off the shelf after reading the front and back covers. But my gamble paid off. With the tagline: The Rise of the West and Canada’s New Power Elite, plus an image of a cowboy riding through the streets of an urban dwelling surrounded by skyscrapers on each side, I couldn’t help myself. STAMPEDE! had my curiosity immediately piqued.

Written by Gordon Pitts, and the recipient of the 2009 National Business Book Award, STAMPEDE! focuses on the new frontiers of wealth making headlines in Canada and the social and cultural emergence of the West. Simply by stating facts, Pitts analyzes the complex issues our country is facing and the changing dynamics that are reshaping the way we live.

From the hot button topic of the oilsands, to Montreal’s loss of aluminum giant Alcan, to Saskatchewan’s big stake in biosciences, Pitts evaluates the developments that are happening from coast to cost in Canada and points out surprising patterns. And regardless of your political views, chapters entitled, “Welcome to Edgary,” “The Prairie is Flat: The boom that knows no borders” and “Playground of the Petro-rich: The Colonization of British Columbia,” are sure to get your blood boiling with intrigue. Any way you slice it, Pitt’s thoughts and predictions are riveting to reflect upon as we approach 2011.

I realize it’s likely not all my Easterner friends will agree, but Pitts puts forward a theory in this book that is hard to ignore. And regardless of where in this glorious country you live, STAMPEDE! is a compelling read that evaluates the steady shift of power currently drawing up a curious blueprint for Canada’s future.

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A Collection of Wonderful Reads

BLOGS, MY STABLE LIFE November 17, 2010

I love books. Books, books, books...

Have you ever spent time reading a book and put in the hours it took to complete the novel – be it fiction, a biography, a paperback, a hardcover, or whatever – only to regret the time it took to finish it? I have. That’s why when I am looking for a new read, I turn immediately to my best source for book reviews: my friends and peers. While it’s tempting to pick up the latest New York Times best seller off the rack, I first want to know if anyone in my circle (people who understand my likes and dislikes and share a similar outlook on reading entertainment) would recommend it. When a new title is suggested, I bombard that person with a battery of questions:

• Is this book powerful? Meaning, does this novel have the kind of emotional depth of prose that will make me feel something after reading it?
• Was it hard to put down?
• Will it frighten me to my wits end? (If so, typically I’m not interested).
• Will it keep me thinking long after I’ve finished the last page?

Today and tomorrow, I thought I’d share with you a handful of books I read this year. My reading interests are varied. I love a good fictional plot and I’m a sucker for rockstar autobiographies. I’m also very intrigued by books that focus on business. And while horses consume my real life, I still adore a great horse read. Between today and tomorrow, I’ll share with you five reviews are based on only a handful of books I read this year. If, my friends, you’re looking for great stocking stuffers, they might come in handy…

RIDING LESSONS, SARA GRUEN, $13.99 US Paperback
The debut novel of Sara Gruen focuses around the life and troubled times of Annmarie Zimmer, a Grand Prix rider and an Olympic hopeful who once sat high upon her rare coated, white-stripped chestnut gelding named Harry. Following a tragic accident, Zimmer wakes up in another lifetime facing divorce, a dying father and a teenager overcome with angst. Twenty years later, she returns home to her family’s New Hampshire horse farm and discovers she has become but a shadow of herself: the girl who once was so full of ambition, courage and desire to saddle up anything with four legs is now a jobless and lonely woman.

Life begins to take Zimmer in a different path when her ex-boyfriend / veterinarian / neighborhood-horse-rescuer discovers a woeful gelding that bears an astonishing resemblance to Harry. And things heat up even more as Zimmer finds herself teetering in the throes of her past love and the seductive allure of a trainer with world-class talents.

Gruen’s flawed characters are richly depicted and often easy to identify with, making this book a charming fictional read that is sure to warm your heart on cold, winter nights. Riding Lessons is a moving tale about overcoming loss, evaluating the error of past decisions, life, hope and “…the extraordinary capacity of a horse to elevate the human spirit.”

OUTLIERS, MALCOM GLADWELL, $30.99 CDN Hardcover
Malcolm Gladwell quickly became one of my favorite authors this year. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed his other novels as well; The Tipping Point – How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference; and Blink – The Power of Thinking Without Thinking; but the book that spoke to me the most in regards to the horse industry was Outliers – The Story of Success.

Now if you’re thinking that this book is a reference guide to instant prosperity, it isn’t. In fact, in Outliers, Gladwell argues that the story of success isn’t always centered around a person’s intelligence or ambition. Instead, he gives real life examples of people who have thrived in business or in life because of circumstances surrounding them – for instance, their birthplace, their family history, and their generation, amongst other things.

Gladwell explains what Bill Gates and the Beatles have in common and makes sense of Silicon Valley billionaires. He examines the role culture and circumstances play in the difference between good airlines and airlines who have a history of crashing planes. And Gladwell will give you new insight for looking at the world of successful people. Outliers is thought provoking and upsetting at times because it defies logical thinking – but in a fantastic way.

As the World Show Turns

MY STABLE LIFE November 16, 2010

Life has been interesting for the last little while. We’ve already had more than 10 cms of snow here in Regina. Therefore, I had to dig out my toque and heavy winter boots and I’ve had to learn how to drive all over again <smile>.

And I seem to have an odd fascination for winter – it is so beautiful! I’ve missed it! Not sure I’ll feel the same when it’s -40, but let’s just stick with happy thoughts for now.

As many of you may know, Clay has two horses qualified for the AQHA World Championship Show in Oklahoma City, OK. As such, he has been down in Oklahoma to prepare for his reining and working cow horse runs since early last week. I opted to stay home and hold down the fort while my husband reaches for world contention – as I’m not really feeling up to long road trips these days anyways. Luckily, one of Clay’s buddies agreed to go with him and take turns at the steering while, plus give my hubby a hand at the show. (Thank-you Taylore! You rock!!)

And since Clay and Taylore left, I’ve been receiving such text messages as:

“Hi Hon, it’s +15 degrees here.”

and:

“Hi Hon, we’re at a football game tonight. But it’s kind of cold. Not sure if we’re gonna stay…”

(Oh darlin’, I can’t wait ’till you see what’s waiting for you at home!)

And then there was the ultimate text:

“Hi Hon, Taylore & I are at a basketball game tonight. And we made it on the Super Jumbo tron twice!!”

To which I replied:

“How come? Was it for the Kiss Cam?”

To which, Clay immediately responded:

“Umm, NO. It was for the Super Duper Man Cam.”

I just left it at that. As a wife, I know when to leave well enough alone. <grin> But regardless, I hope my husband and Taylore are having a good time in Oklahoma. And I want to thank all the lovely people looking after me here in Regina. (David, Perla, John and Naomi – you guys rock!! Not sure what I’d do without you guys making the nightly craving-trips-to-town for me!)

Plus, it’s been pretty awesome to be able to flip my computer on and watch the World Show runs from the comfort of my living room.

Clay showing at the World Show, as seen in the Web Live Coverage from the screen of my laptop.

Clay rides tomorrow in the Senior Reining on Whiz N Starlight and I’m so excited, I can barely contain myself. But for now, I’d like to extend a big congratulations to my friend, Karen Stallings for winning her third AQHA World Amateur Working Cow Horse Championship in a row! Riding NMSU Truckin Chex (also known as “Elvis,” Karen marked a 214.5 in the rein work and a 225 in the cow work for an aggregate score of 439.5. This is what the mantle looks like at Karen and her husband, Kevin’s house:

I’m not sure there’s much more room for another trophy, but congratulations Karen on another fantastic win!

Winter Prep Time

BLOGS, MY STABLE LIFE November 14, 2010

As the Canadian show season comes to a close this month, many horse owners will choose to turn their regularly stabled horses out for a pasture vacation at this time. For many horses, this means they will be turned out from November through February, and will return again to riding work in the spring. And they will need to adapt to sub zero temperatures and inclement weather conditions early on in the process – a big change from the heated barn and cozy stall they may have been used to.

Will you be kicking your horses out for a pasture break this winter? If so, there are several considerations you should take into account to help ensure your mount gets the most out of his time off and stays healthy while out on the Back 40. Here are some basic recommendations for your horse’s needs this winter:

1. A Winter Coat

If time can afford you as the owner, to allow your horse a chance to grow somewhat of a winter coat before turning him onto the pasture, you are already one step ahead of the game. A good coat will offer your horse some waterproofing protection and obviously, warmth. Some horses adapt better to winter than others. Thoroughbreds, for example, have thinner skin than some Quarter Horse, Paint or Appaloosa-types and therefore can lose their body condition more readily. Body fat plays a large role in heat conservation of pasture horses for the winter. And the benefits of a thick, full tail are also important, since it protects the horse’s hindquarters during windy days.

2. Good Body Condition

You will have to monitor your horse’s body condition closely in his time off, to help you gauge whether or not your equine companion needs additional nutritional needs, or a blanket to help compensate for the cold. If horses are forced to dig through thick ice and deep snow to get to grass, they may not be able to consume enough feed. At this point, a responsible owner must provide extra hay or roughage, etc., to help the horse stay warm. Pasture horses also require a proper mineral supplement.
All horses, and especially broodmares, should have some source of essential trace minerals and salt throughout the winter.

3. Water

If anyone ever tells you, “Horses don’t need water in the winter – they can just eat snow…” they are absolutely wrong. Water is a major nutrient concern for pasture horses, so it’s important to provide your animals with good sources throughout the season. An adequate water source is a vessel that is continually full with fresh, clean water and does not freeze on a regular basis. If you don’t have the luxury of an automatic water system, installing water heaters in your outside troughs may prevent you from having to break ice each morning. Some heaters even have the capability to warm the water slightly, making drinking that much more desirable for your horses. This practice can prevent dehydration of your animals in the winter and the potential for colic caused by impaction.

* AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Automatic waterers must be regularly and properly maintained throughout the winter as unfortunately, they do have the ability to freeze from time to time. Or a short in the wiring could electrocute / shock a horse each time he goes for a drink – if so, you may not know how long he has gone without water and you must fix the problem immediately. Once faulty wiring is repaired it could take your horse time to regain his confidence enough to return to the waterer.

4. Shelter

Shelter is the final necessity required for winter pastured horses. If you can’t provide your animals something with a roof on it, a wind break may suffice. Trees and shrubs, gulleys, cliffs and valleys are considered “natural wind-breaks” and can provide protection from the wind and elements to some extent. However, a sided and overhead shelter that is free from hazards like protruding nails or jutting edges is the ideal shelter for pasture horses. Moisture or humidity, added to a strong wind means your horse is subject to the worst kind of bone-chilling weather. For this reason, wind and moisture are a pasture horses’ two main adversaries. Shivering is one of the horse’s defenses against the cold because it creates movement within his muscles. But excessive shivering means the horse cannot warm its body enough to reach a comfortable body temperature again.

Winter is a beautiful time, but it’s often a six-month (or longer) span in Canada that also comes with many perils. Keep your horses safe and healthy with the above 4 basic considerations for our coldest season of the year.

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Raising the Roof

BLOGS, MY STABLE LIFE November 12, 2010

Due to heavy rains this year, our dwindling hay supply was akin to a bad dream. With changes we are making going into Winter 2010, we hope that unpleasant memory fades quickly...

With 48 inches of rain (37 inches more than our usual) and only a tarp system to protect our feed supply, we – most unfortunately – lost a lot of hay this year. Prior to this year, the cost effectiveness of tarps and cords far outweighed the price of a hay shed. But after losing the battle of tarps against Saskatchewan winds and more than an acceptable amount of expensive square bales ($8 per square), we decided a hay shed was in order for Winter 2010.

Watching the creation of this structure on our farm over the course of the last couple of weeks has been somewhat exciting for me. It was decided that 3/4 of this new building will used to store round bales, square hay bales and straw. And the last quarter will be used to house our breeding dummy. Finally, we’ll have a very private area for stallion collections.

The hay shed began to take form in what appeared, at the time, to be the middle of a big ol’ mud yard. Holes were dug and posts were erected on the first day.

By the end of the second day, the entire perimeter of the shed was lined with support posts.

Temporary support beams were braced against the posts to straighten and level them out properly.

Braces followed on the opposite side.

Horizontal rails were then nailed to the support posts.

Then roof construction began, adjacent to the building on the ground. This part threw me for a loop – I wasn’t sure how the giant ceiling would take eventually shape on top of the massive structure.