Dear
Pam,
Cimmaron has an abscess in his left front hoof. He's gotten an abscess
before. Luckily the abscess is draining and Aunt Loretta ordered
a hoof wrap so we don't have to use Duct Tape any more. We've been
soaking Cimmaron's hoof in a bucket of water with Epsom Salt. We
ran out of Epsom Salt last week and Grandmama had to run out to
the store to get some more. As soon as Cimmaron's abscess is gone
our back up vet Dr. L. is going to check Cimmaron's left hind leg.
Please tell your dad that I said thanks for the info. Have fun at
The Fall Festival.
Sincerely, Cayce
PS I don't know how to take a horse's temperature. Only Mom knows
how to take a horses temperature.
Dear Cayce
Bleah. Hoof abcesses
are no fun for you or the horse. Some horses just get them, though
and usually they will heal up just fine.
One time JB got
one and my mom soaked his foot in Epsom salts too. It was funny because
first JB didn't want to put his hoof into the bucket, then soaking
it made it feel so much better he didn't want to take it out!
About taking a horse's temperature, my dad said it is not hard. He
said young horses sometimes don't like it, but most don't care. This
is a job for a grown up.
He likes digital
thermometers because they beep when they are done. Mostly it takes
less than a minute. Normal horse body temperature is 99 - 101 Farenheight
or 37.5 to 38.5 degrees Celsius. Ponies sometimes are warmer than
horses.
Hope Cimmaron feels
better really soon.
Friends,
_______
hi
Pam ! I love Lightning!!! How is she doing? I love reading the pony
pals books. My mom just ordered some new ones for me.
please give lightning a kiss for me!
Your friend,
Delaney
Dear Delaney
Lightning is good.
I went out to check on her just after I got your letter and gave her
the apple core from an apple I just ate. She really likes apples!
If Lightning eats too many apples she gets a stomachache. My dad said
one apple core won't make her sick.
I kissed her for
you, too.
Glad to hear you
like to read. I like to read, too. It's like taking a vacation without
leaving home. 8-)
One part of reading
I really really like is letters like yours.
Jeanne Betancourt
writes to us sometimes, too. We always like to get her letters.
How's Blondie?
Pony Pals,
_________
Hey
Pam,
Rocky has a new addition to his stall. Actually it's not new, it's
been there since my moms old horse. We didn't open it until last
week so it's new to Rocky. It's a small paddock with a door to his
stall. It's small but it will be fine until we build the real thing.
How's Lightning? Rocky's good. He doesn't cough as much now that
he can go outside whenever he wants. Oh Yeah, Rocky got loose the
other day. I guess I forgot to close his stall door and he got out.
Luckily he went by my porch to eat grass. I didn't even catch him.
When he saw me he ran all the way back to the barn. I haven't been
able to lounge Rocky (or ride him) because it's been raining a lot
where I live. If it's nice we might go trail riding this week. Give
Lightning a hug and a cookie for me ok.
Your Number 1 Fan,
Gabby
Dear Gabby
How is racehorse
Rocky doing? I hope it stopped raining long enough for you to go for
a ride. I am glad to hear he is not coughing so much.
One time when last
summer I was busy talking to Anna and Lulu when it was really hot.
I forgot to chain the latch on the paddock gate. Acorn knows how to
open latches. He opened it. Then Acorn walked out and Snow White and
Lightning followed him! They all trotted down to Badd Brook.
Anna saw they were
gone. Lulu looked at their tracks and we grabbed halters and some
apples and went after them down Pony Pal trail.
When we got down
there all three ponies were standing in the brook, splashing.
I whispered that
I thought they were cute cooling off how were we going to catch them?
Anna whispered that
the ponies would run down the trail towards home if we moved too fast.
Lulu whispered that
I should cross the brook and block Pony Pal trail because I was biggest.
I took an extra
lead rope and S-L-O-W-L-Y walked way around our ponies and snuck up
to where I was on the other side of the brook blocking the trail.
Then Anna and Lulu
carefully walked toward our ponies holding out apple pieces. Lightning
came over first and got an apple piece and Lulu put on her halter.
Snow White was jealous and came over next, and Acorn followed.
Pretty soon we had
three wet ponies on lead ropes. We were wet, too. It felt good because
it was so hot, we all laughed about it afterwards.
So don't feel bad
about Rocky getting out. It happens to everybody. Glad to hear it
was ok.
Does Rocky know
how to open gates that are closed?
Hug Rocky for me.
Write back again.
Friends,
_________
Dear
Pam,Hi!! I really want a horse or pony and willing to take care
of it but i don't have enough room in my yard.(also my dog is mean
and probably bite her or him anyway) so how much is boarding usually?
p.s. what horse should i consider getting?
from Maggie E
Dear Maggie
Every place is different
about how much keeping a pony costs. Some places where there is lots
of land and the grass is green all the time, it does not cost so much.
Here in the North East we have to feed hay in winter and so it costs
more. If your horse needs a veterinarian like my dad that can be very
expensive, depending on what is wrong.
My mom tells me
that's why she is making this game. It will be free to have a pony
and go on adventures. It's not exactly the same, but it's close.
To find out how
much it costs where you are you can call some stables and ask. Or
you can find out if there is a local pony club. Try looking at
http://www.ponyclub.org/clubs-regions.php
Maybe there is one
near you. There would be lots of kids there to meet and learn more
about keeping a pony where you are.
Your pony-loving
friend,
