Horsy News,
Views and Attitudes Vol. 1 Number 26 January 14-21, 2008
|
New Pony Pal Pony!
Pony Pal Sarah B. with Samson. Learn more in Pony Pals Letters on page 2. ____________________ Local Dog Rescued by Pony
Pals
Ella Clark's dog Casey, in a photo from last
fall. |
Pony
Pals Patrol for Coyotes Since early January, three young
residents have decided to keep an eye out for four coyotes whose tracks were
spotted by Anna Harley on New Years Day. "We watch for the coyotes every
day when we ride," said Lulu Sanders. "Most days we see new tracks.
Some of them are right here in town! We tell everyone to be on the
lookout." Lulu's father, wildlife expert Tom
Sanders agreed that's a good idea. "Pam, Anna and Lulu know that some
coyotes can climb fences," Sanders said. "It's a good idea to bring
small pets inside after dark if there are coyotes around." The Pony Pals may have saved a small
dog from becoming a coyote's dinner. "Last week we were riding home
from Pam's house along Riddle Road," Lulu said. "When we were
riding by Ms. Clark's house we thought we saw a dog climb out of her yard
carrying something!" Anna Harley interrupted. "It was
a big coyote, carrying Ms. Clark's dog! We started to lope towards the coyote
yelling at him. When he saw us, he dropped her dog and took off!" "Those girls saved my little
Casey," said Ella Clark. "She was really scared but not hurt." "I'd just let her out for a
few minutes at about four o'clock. I plugged in my holiday lights, then I got
a phone call about a tough case," Clark, who works for Wiggins Social
Services, said. "The yard gates were shut tight. When I heard the girls
I ran out to call Casey. The girls rode up with her after they scared off the
coyote." Fred Jones of the St.
Francis Animal Center reported that there have been several reports of
missing small pets. "Just last week we got
a call from Roger Edwards at the Volunteer Fire Department that their
firehouse cat was missing when they returned from a call," Jones
reported. "Despite a search that night and the next day, that cat has
not been found." |
Page 2
Horsy News,
Views and Attitudes
Vol. 1 Number 26 January
14-21, 2008
|
LEARN TO SPEAK
HORSE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Q.
I was wondering, do you know if I need to use hoof
products on my new horse? Because he is not shod. Me and my Dad met this guy
that said we don't need to if he isn't shod but I don't know if I should
believe that. The other day I put some neetsfoot oil on his hoofs with a
sponge and it worked well. But is there a point in doing that if he isn't
shod?
A. Your pony's feet look good in the
picture that you sent. He's got three white socks but his hooves look dark.
Black or dark hooves are usually harder than white ones. Oiling those hooves
is just like putting lotion on your hands and nails. It will make his feet
more flexible and also a little softer. If he has cracks in his hooves oil
may help them to heal. But on hard ground like gravel roads, rocks or sand
his hooves will need to be less soft so they do not wear down too quickly.
Even if you do not plan to shoe him, you will need to keep his hooves trimmed
so his feet wear properly. So ask your farrier (horse shoer) if your pony's
hooves need to be oiled. Q.
There are 3 beautiful ponies a little ways down the road (1 or 2 miles to be
exact) and I visit them frequently. Though they are not skinny, do not seem
like they have colic, and their coats are glossy, I've only seen a person out
there once considering how much I see the horses. There is lots of manure in
their pasture as if the owner doesn't like to clean, and their water is just
about always frozen, how are they staying so healthy? Also, If horses lick
frozen water will their tongues freeze? A. The thing IĠd be most worried about
is their not having liquid water. Horses and ponies must have fresh water to
drink or they may get dehydrated (too thirsty) which can lead to colic. (Continued
on page 3) |
Pony Pals Letters Dear Wiggins Weekly, Hi, my name is Sarah B. and I emailed you about my
pony. Remember I was nervous to ride him? Good news! We still haven't ridden
him, but I am doing great on the lead line and I have even taught him tricks!
My Dad
has a saddle he has to fix, but when he can fix it he will ride the pony
first and then I will ride him! I will be riding him at least once a
week, but probably more than that when I can. I am not that nervous anymore.
Here is a picture of
Samson, isn't he beautiful? (Every pony is beautiful, including Samson. Congratulations on
your new equine friend!) _____________________________________ Hey
Webmaster, I am getting to
work at the barn that I ride at 2 or 3 times a week and it is sooo fun! I am
going tomorrow & Tuesday. My favorite thing to do is feed the ponies. |
Page 3
Horsy News,
Views and Attitudes
Vol. 1 Number 26 January
14-21, 2008
|
Ski Joring photo courtesy of North East
Ski Joring Association (NESJA) Ski Joring Clinic
Prizes Offered Folgers Feed of Wiggins has donated prizes for the winners
at the North East Ski Joring Association competition and training day on
January 26. A 90-minute training
clinic will start at 10 am at Olson's Farm in Wiggins, VT. "We
have a pee wee division starting at ages 10 and under, a growing Junior
division, and we have competitors in open division at the age of 65," Geoff
Smith, President of NESJA, said. "We are trying to grow the activity as
a family sport we have them as well as individuals who compete." Interested riders are encouraged
to register at Olson's Farm, or call 555-1255 for more information. |
|
LEARN TO SPEAK
HORSE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED (Continued from page 2)
Do you ever see those ponies with liquid water? It may be their owner
comes by and gives them fresh water early in the morning or in the evening
when they feed, but by the time you see the ponies' water, it has had time to
freeze.
In the wild, horses can lick snow to get a drink but it is hard for
them to get enough moisture unless they also have liquid water to drink. |
Pony Power thought for
the day - -
The biggest horses
aren't always the best travelers.