Good Morning Friends

Just to let you know, we are still under snow here in Michigan. We are managing pretty well the horses are getting out daily for a few hours. Unfortunately I am sure they would enjoy more outdoor time but with the cold and the early sunsets we want to get them in the stalls safely and secure them in. Feeding isn't until 7 each evening so they get a little snack so they arn't sitting around bored too long. We did swap out the water buckets for heasted ones a few weeks back, so they have plenty of fresh water and a warm stall to come into each evening.

Unfortunately we had an issue with Pony, that's our only pony right now. Apparently he aquired that name to go along with his size. So he is just called Pony. Well pony came in foundered and in severe need of some major care. After several visits with the farrier over the last 4 months we felt he was coming along fine. Being quite a charater he managed to find a place in the pecking order and he made it quite clear it was not going to be at the bottom. With that said he is not over friendly with the horses he has been put out with and he is taking his time getting to know them. Pony can be a little biter and kicker when he feels threatened. One by one his three buddies are warming up to him and now with being stalled next to them they are a little more social with him and accepting him. In that part I think he will do fine.

The other day he did not want to come out of his stall and refused to even move. The handler had to force him and managed to get him center isle but no futher. I was able to get to the barn and try to access what was wrong. He is on a 1/4 cup of grain and was building to two leafs of hay. I had the grain removed and kept the same amount of hay. I picked out his hooves and he refused to lift one foot and it felt hot at the time. I put him on bute and had him stalled until the farrier could come out and take a look. Good news he did not extend the foundering, but his back fetlock is swollen a little. I am think he kicked out his little legs at one of those big boys and it landed and caused him so discomfort. More good news he is walking and back to being let out with with the others on a daily basis. So we will continue to monitor him and keep you up to date.

Pony is a real cutie.