Are We Going To Cut Anymore Hay?

More rain.  An 1-1/2" last night which is great for the fall pasture growth.  I'm still pondering whether or not we're going to try to cut our last hay field.  I'm thinking not.  It took almost 4 days to dry what we cut last week.  I would love to have some more of the hay like what we got, but it was a lot of work for the number of bales we got.  Even though we've gotten rain this past month, some of our fields just haven't grown that much. 

Making Hay

Well this has turned into a hay making week for us.  At this time of year if we get a stretch of 3-4 days of sun and no rain we have to take our last cutting of hay no matter how tall it is.  Yes, it would have been nice to wait another week or two on a couple of our fields, but then we take the chance of getting it dry . . . as a couple of our fields are low and we can get into some pretty foggy mornings where the dew doesn't come off until Noon or so.

I'll be glad to put this year's hay making season over.  With the drought, and now with three inches of rain, which surged the growth, it's felt like a roller coaster around here.

Two more shows this year . . .

It's decided, I'm only showing two more shows this year.  When I look at the finances of what I spent to show four shows, so far this year, and what was received in awards, etc. I cannot justify spending anymore money on this very, very expensive hobby. . . .

Yes, I really don't need anymore ribbons or trophies, but when I look at the pile of 50 cent ribbons given out at the breed and discipline association shows I competed at this year, I can truly say it was not worth the $700  I spent in entry fees, office fees, drug-testing fees, stalls and camping. 

I know how much ribbons and trophies cost, as I have ordered them for several groups I've been involved with, and I'm going to say for everyone to read:  give your competitors something they can show for their hard dollars spent.

I still can't believe that we put up with not getting a trophy or something equivalent for a first place.  My pledge to everyone reading this, who feels the same way, is to say something to the organizers of the groups you show with.  Don't just decide to not show their shows; tell them why.

And for those of you who may not see me at the shows this fall - consider this my public way of telling you why . . . . you need to make sure that you take care of your competitors so that they come back and show again and again.  It's not about sitting around at a board meeting and bragging about how may new members you have and what you have in the club's bank account.  I've showed with many groups that did such things and are no longer around.

Heat Founder Update

I put Cody on Aspirin this morning and am cutting him back on his feed.  Since he is not on grass, again, I can only assume that the hot weather this summer has made him hoof sore.  I will continue to monitor his situation . . .

Heat Founder

When I was at a horse show last weekend one of my friends informed me that her good halter mare had heat foundered on one of her front feet.  Here in Michigan the majority of our summer has had above 90 degree days. I tried to offer her as much comfort as possible, having kept one of my horses sound for more then 20 years after he grass foundered.

Having owned and managed a foundered mare, you can image that I am always on high alert for signs of founder with the horse I now have.

Regardless, I now think one of our colts may also have a case of heat founder.  I'm pretty surprised as he really showed no signs of stress during the hot periods of this summer.  However, there really are no other causes for what's appearing to be a case of founder.  He's not on grass, he hasn't been worked on hard surfaces, and he gets a very small amount of grain.

Please keep an eye on your horses.  It's been a very hot, dry summer throughout the country.  I can image that if I have a horse that has foundered from the heat, there are many more out there that are going to also show signs.  For more information on heat founder go to http://www.ncaha.com/downloads/HOT%20WEATHER%20PRECAUTIONS%20FOR%20YOUR%20HORSE.pdf