WHAT IS THE LATEST SCOOP!?
Visits to the yard by alternative Equine Massage practitioners.
Update on book sales of Bruja and where to grab your copy.
Advice on Strangles and how to deal with the issue.
Mark Higgins' Poems (keep a hanky close!).
BOOK SALES OF BRUJA GO THROUGH THE ROOF!
The
response to Bruja has been absolutely phenomenal with the first print
run being sold out in a matter of weeks!
A second print has now almost sold out as word spreads. I am very surprised and delighted at how much people are enjoying reading about Bruja and really appreciate comments and e-mails from those who have read the book, so please feel free to contact me via the e-mail address and if you would like your comments printed on this page just let me know.
Remember, Bruja is Published by: Fisher King Publishing
and is available on-line from*: www.fisherkingpublishing.co.uk
@ £9.99
BORDERS BOOK STORE SELLS OUT!
Borders book store in Glasgow Fort have twice sold out on their copies of Bruja. This combined with two book sigining days by the Author has proved to be a great sucess. Borders is currently in stock so if you would like to order from them direct or grab a copy off the shelf before they sell out you might need to be quick! If you would like a signed copy then just ask Borders to arrange another book signing day with the author and this can easily be arranged.
COMMENTS FROM READERS:-
"I am reading the book at present and it is most enjoyable. Bruja sounded a marvelous horse and I can understand how you felt about her because this is just how I feel about Hannah" Sally Peers
"I want to tell you how much I enjoyed it and how so much of what
you said was like my own experiences with horses, from when I wished
for one every time I blew out my birthday candles to the day I finally
got my own horse and then the heartbreak of losing my soul mate when
I had to have her put down.
Thanks for your story - it really touched my heart and conveyed the
love and partnership between a girl and her horse so well." Elaine
Hutchinson
STRANGLES
My thanks to Arlene Holmes for writing this excellent piece on strangles and for sharing with us her personal experiences as she struggled to get her girl through the trauma of the illness and to deal with the prejudices of those around her.
WHAT IS STRANGLES?
Strangles is a highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus equi. The bacteria affects the lymph nodes and lies in the guttural pouch of the horse. The disease is easily spread to other horses through direct contact, or can be airborne. All equipment will be contaminated, buckets, rugs etc; the organisms can survive for long periods of time on walls, rugs, bedding and grass and most importantly will live in water for up to 6 weeks.
The spread of strangles can be very fast if not handled in the proper manner. The new comer onto a yard, or cold damp weather can cause horses to contract the disease. Younger horses are more susceptible to the disease as there will be no build up of immunity and may be fatal. It can be the same for the older horse as their immune system may be weaker and this also can be fatal. It can take up to 2 - 6 days before you see any clinical signs of strangles if the horse has contracted the disease.
TYPES OF STRANGLES
Bastard Strangles - If the abscesses rupture they can spread down to the organs and also the brain and this will be fatal shutting down all the organs causing death.
Strangles - If the abscesses are enlarged and do not drain it will cause the wind pipe to0 close and could suffocate the horse causing death.
SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR
1. Heavy nasal discharge
2. Coughing
3. Lethargic
4. Dehydration
5. High temperature of between 39 - 40C
6. Swollen/enlarged lymph nodes on neck and jaw
7. Loss of appetite
8. Soreness to the throat.
If your horse has nay of these symptoms, isolate him away from any horses and call the vet out straight away. Most importantly let other liveries know what is happening and the owners of the yard. You will need to keep your horse isolated until the results come back from he lab, this will take up to 10 days.
CARING FOR A HORSE WITH STRANGLES
1. Isolation either in a stable block with other infected horses or out in a field away from infected horses.
2. Always use a strong anti-bacterial agent to wash down tools, stable walls, and for dipping your feet in as you go in or out.
3. Always work with your owner horse and no one else's.
4. Don't walk in and out any other stables or stable blocks.
5. Try to clean up as much of the horse's discharge as possible and spray with an anti-bacterial spray to kill any organisms.
6. Make sure your horse is as comfortable as possible.
7. Give him plenty of water and soak his hay to make it a bit easier for him to eat as his throat will be sore and he might find it hard eating dry hay.
8. Keep checking his temperature to make sure it doesn't go too high.
9. Keep checking to see if your horse is dehydrated, as this can prolong the condition for a week or two.
10. Make sure you have a nice big bed so it is more inviting for him to lie down more as Strangles will make your horse very weak.
11. If in any doubt get the vet out.
Strangles is every owners worst nightmare, but it is treatable. It can take up to 8 0 10 weeks for your horse to be cleared from the disease. It is a long slow process and nit is not easy to deal with some days. But is is all about the horse and getting him better and to stop any spread of further infection.
MY EXPERIENCE ON A LIVERY YARD WITH STRANGLES
It was a nice warm day in July when I went down to the field to bring my horse Hayley in to ride. When I approached her, she was standing with her head down low and looking very lethargic, with a heavy discharge hanging from her nostrils. So I brought her in and called my Vet out straight away. Once the vet arrived he asked me if any of the other horses have Strangles, I replied "no". He said to be that "I will be testing your horse for Strangles just to be on the safe side." He also said "it might just be a heavy flu, if no other horses have these symptoms". I did tell the Vet that "Hayley's jags are up to date and I have never missed any of them in the 14 yrs of having her."
After the vet left I went straight round to the owners of the yard to let them know that Hayley was being tested for strangles and that is when they told me there had been a few horses already tested for strangles 4 weeks ago. They must have seen the expression on my face and they said "didn't you know about it?" I replied "No" they then said "don't tell anyone about this." i said ok but I never kept quiet, I told everyone in my block and told them not to bring their horses in because Hayley had not to be moved from her stable until the vet said ok. They all thanked me for telling them this and said I probably prevented their horses from contracting the disease. I then told the owners of the yard what I had done and they were not pleased with me. However, one of the ladies went round to tell them that I had done the right thing by letting them know about this.
I had to phone my Vet to let him know that there had been other horses tested for Strangles and just that one of them had come back positive. He then told me that there was a good chance that Hayley would have strangles. I felt angry and totally gutted that people don't care about anyone's horse but their own and how selfish they were to keep this quiet.
Roughly 15 horses had contracted Strangles through ignorance by not letting people know. I had shifted my horse into the filed that was riddled with Strangles and no one had told me, and they watched me putting Hayley into that field.
Dealing with this type of situation was very difficult for me. I found out who my real friends are. Driving into the yard I felt physically sick because I was getting dirty looks, people were pointing at me, the nasty comments, I was getting ignored and someone even ran away from me. The people who used to say hello and talk to me no longer did so and only a few people would support me and ask how my girl was getting on. No one cared about my horse or about me or any one else that had a horse with Strangles.
BY YOUR SIDE (CARING FOR HAYLEY)
My poor girl is not well, and definately not herself. My heart went out to her. it brought back memories of when she first came into my life. I used to dog school and go up and sit in her stable talking and singing to her when she was very unwell.
I found myself doing it again, but think she was sick of my signing my this point. I was constantly wiping up snots, and spraying everywhere with anti-bacteria. Hayley was going from cold to extremely hot and her whole body was shaking, so I was constantly putting her fleece on and off. I had to put her hay down low so it would help the snot drain out her nose a bit better. Every morning when I came up the the farm, I had her to clean out her water trough as it was full of snot, her feed buckets were the same. It was such a shame for her. She had lost her appetite and lost a lot of her bodyweight. It must have been so sore when she was trying to eat. Every mouthful of food was a chore for her as she kept choking and coughing up food. So I ended up having to make her feeds very watery, almost like a bowl of soup. It did help a wee bit. Hayley was also on painkillers then anti-biotic to help with the pain and help her high temperature.
My girl was isolated in her stable for 6 weeks and then isolated in a field for 2 months that was away down next to the canal. You could actually dip your toe in it, that's how close you were.
After the last guttural pouch test I got my results back and it was such a relief my girl was in the clear. But even though she was 100% clear from Strangles no one wanted he4r with his or her horses out in the same field. So once gain I felt as if I had been stabbed in the back. I have had to fight for my rights for my horse to get back to normality with her original herd. Hayley is now out in her filed with her friends after 6 long months.
One lady is still not happy and has made it very clear she does not want my girl in with her horse and has put a complaint into the owners of the yard. I am getting bullied at the age of 29 by a horrible wee old lady. My close friend Morag always has told me that people that gully you are the ones that are jealous of you and your beautiful horse and your talent.
I always think back when we went through a lot of bullying at our last yard and it has bade me a stronger person in a strange king of way. So I am a better person for all the bad experiences as I know now how to rise above it and to just simply walk away.
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!
Many people have now requested that Mark Higgins' poems be listed on our website. Mark has been writing poems for several years now and has been published. He is currently considering publishing his works in a new pocket book so watch this space!
THE BIG BURLY BOOK OF POETRY!
INDEX:-
A last twitch from that knowing ear, slowly I watch her fire disappear.
Our souls join together one last time then the spark is gone.
And still her spirit lives on, burning in the hearts of the ones that she shared her gift with.
They only need close their eyes and remember, to feel that power, the rush, in this she will never go.
Bruja was and still is unique but don’t we all feel this way about the things that touch our very core.
Bruja had character, strength, spirit and a willingness to teach us how to live.
I only felt this a few times, the oneness.
I know that I will feel that fire again.
Bruja tried to teach me so much and I feel that I learned so little from her, one thing I do know though is that I’ll never try to teach a horse how to be a horse.
NO REGRETS, we all make mistakes, it’s the way we learn and it’s the way we live.
I do miss that auld bag, funny eh?
WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION, is it, walk trot or gallop, ask me in the right way and I can give you all that you wish for.
If you demand, then all you will do is contort my body with pain and twist my nature into the ignorance and arrogance held in your own mind.
When asked properly, I would crawl on my knees for you, I’d break my back if you wanted, I would give up my life for you, and all I ask in return is for a warm bed, some food, a kind word and love from every touch from your hand.
To think or whisper the language I know, which is so complex to some people, but so simple for others to understand for they know what can be achieved with kindness and love.
Speak softly the words that I know and I’ll give you the key’s to heaven, shout and all of hell’s demon’s will follow you forever or until you learn to listen and ask in the right way.
I am the wind,
I am life’s force,
I am a part of you,
and will be forever.
An empty stable is all we see through the tears.
No comfort found there for the passing of an old friend.
The bond has been broken
In Nature’s way a tragic play of life and death, love and loss.
We know we have done what was right
But still it sits on us with its crushing weight.
Time will heal the wound in our soul
But our heart will always be broken when
We think of our old friend.
In memory of Piper.
A Poem From Old Wise Horses
Been it, Seen it, Done it,
The old mares would say,
As they watched the youngsters frolic and play.
Old now, but young at heart,
In each other’s company,
Never to part,
Until the time that greets us all,
When even warriors have to fall.
And to that place we all shall run,
Peace at last,
All battles won.
Been it, Seen it, Done it,
Nothing more needs said
Cold morning air on my face, good to feel life’s breath flowing through me,
Then I am gone, flying across the earth, bathing in the morning sun as we dance together,
No care or fear, just joy for the moment, blending as one, our movements a ballet of nature’s making.
The herd settles, a mist covers our tracks and the sun watches over us as we graze,
Content with it’s warmth on our back
Horses surround me,
I am home
Mountian high, prairie wide, our lands are gone now, no place to hide.
Our life with man, a tenuous link, a beast of burden no right to think.
But still they come down through the years, their gentle touch to ease our fears.
They are the ones who know the way, their selfless hearts are why we stay.
And when I'm asked what did they say, I simply whisper then walk away.
He has an honest eye I heard them say, and to their lives I've come to stay.
To bring them joy my only wish and in return a simple kiss.
Into our worlds we both have come and when we touch we act as one.
Until we part at each days end and till tommorrow to see our friend, our bond is set we breath as one a happy future a life as one.
Flaxen mane and tail, with liver chestnut hair, we think, breath and move as one, without a single care.
This bond we have, unbreakable, it's there for all to see. The lightest touch a whispered word, we move so soft and free.
Our journey moves from year to year, it seems to have no end, and still it's fresh and wonderful to share it with my friend.
Adventures saught I dream awake and not a word is spoken, for there are none that I could speak to show my love for Brogan.
Trust your heart and I will carry you all the days of your life.
For we are one, a friendship forged with trust and love, respect and honour.
No words need said just a soft touch or a simple carress. This is our language.
We will never part, even when our bodies leave, our spirit soars as one, this life will never end for our bond is eternal.
I am lost for now,
Spirit gone,
Extinguished by fear,
No compasion behind those eyes,
Souless orbs bruning into me,
Taking my freedom with every glance.
Sold,
A word of dread for all our kind,
Moved along like a leaf in an Autumn storm.
I know not this for I have now found.
A gentle touch,
A kind word to greet my every morning,
Live and love behind the eye that holds me now.
My spirit safe,
The life I lost brought to me again.
I will give my all to you for only you know the secret words of the heart.
Quiet my heart for I am lost.
Ease my soul from this darkened place.
Take my spirit from the pain I know,
Give back all that has been taken from me.
All I ask is for you to hear,
The voice that connects my soul to yours.
Gentle in its tone, soft in its touch,
Spoken the correct way we can achieve so much.
We go on from here.
Wind carry me on my way, breathe your life into me.
Never far away each day, whispering in the trees.
Cool my body as I gallop through the wild summer grass,
moving me ever forward until tommorow's end.
As we dance throughout time,
Drawing ever on, both our spirits free, never to be tamed.
We are born in nature, free spirits wild as a storm,
Gentle as a summer's breeze, wind follow my heart.
You will never tame my heart,
No matter what you say or shout
We will always be apart.
You can tie me up or time me down,
And beat me to a pulp, I will fight you till my dying breath,
Where there is no air to gulp.
You will never understand me with those cruel eye's of yours.
For you are blind to me and this will be your curse.
My language not of angry words or fist, so subtle you can't see.
That whispered word or softest touch, this is the very key.
And so I will leave you now,
Inside your deepest darkest heart,
And wish someday to find that soul from whom I will never part.
McTIMMONY THERAPY PROVES TO BE A BIT HIT!
Liz Jones makes regular visits to Ross Dhu to help our remedial horses make a full recovery. In fact, some are now so relaxed that they simply cannot stay on their feet long enough to allow Liz to finish!!
MARI KNOX GIVES BOWENS MASSAGE THERAPY TO A VERY ELDERLY RESCUE CASE
Mari Knox works on our horses on a regular basis and in conjunction with Liz to provide a fully balanced therapy session to bring relief to our horses. Higgi is a 26+yrs old rescue mare who came to us via the SSPCA. She has only been with us for 2 weeks and is already well on the way to making a full recovery and having a very happy retirement
.
