Health ... and sycamore trees.

'Mr F' seems to have been struggling with some form of stomach upset and I do not yet know exactly what the cause was. It all happened after he had been vaccinated October 14th. Pretty much at the same time him and 'Luke' had to move into the back field so that they could have access to shelter. However, I suddenly remembered about last years health warning regarding sycamore seeds and their possible toxicity. Not all sycamore trees seem to have the poison, it is not yet clear exactly which type is causing the deaths of horses but it is clearly a problem in many places and horses have been found dead in the morning near sycamore trees. 

I immediately moved the boys back into the front field and kept an eye on 'Mr F.' Perhaps he found the fairly rich grass hard to digest, perhaps he had a reaction to the vaccination (Tetanus and Flu) or perhaps he digested a tiny amount of the sycamore seeds. Although the symptoms he was showing did not aid in forming a definite opinion. I made sure that he had plenty of food in form of soaked hay in the front field so that his digestive system would be kept busy and it would work through whatever it was that bothered him. It took a good 2 weeks for it all to settle and I tired to aid him with adjusting his feed accordingly which did help along.

I am glad to say that 'Mr F' is now in good form again. I like to add that I did consult with 'Suzie'. And it is apparently possible for a horse to have an adverse reaction to vaccination.

 'Mr F' - "Its only mud .... "

So far no problems with mud fever. I do take Mr F inside to dry out every day for a good hour so the mud can be brushed out of his winter coat. 

'Hello....'

 Drying out in the evening before going back into the field, 'Luke' is also indoors, right next to 'Mr F' but you can't see him from where I am standing as he is behind the door.

A day without rain ... although it has not been too bad so far. Nowhere near as bad as last year.

Another regular resident:  'little Sam'.

The food island - 'Luke' and 'Mr F'. I do move it around the field so they don't make a mess of the field during the wet season. It is a well draining field and even after some days of very heavy rain,  most of it is still hard ground. It however means its poo picking time.

 'Madame' not so happy with her field mate 'Rose'.

Madame: 'Someone PLEASE take that horse ('Rose') away!'