Ferrell Hollow Farm

The Vet visits the Drafts of Ferrell Hollow Farm!

I called my specialist vet, Dr. Wright, of TN Equine Hospital, out to take x-rays of Siegfried, Buddy and Slim today.  The results we found were surprising to both of us!

Siegfried, 23 y/o Percheron, has had a history of chronic laminitis for 20 years, and I thought that is what had been plaguing him lately, despite a strict management for Insulin Resistant horses and some very expensive supplements! X-rays of his front feet show significant high and low ringbone, with his left front foot the worst.  X-rays of his hocks showed only minor arthritis.  While I has thrilled that laminitis is not an issue right now, I was crushed that the ringbone was so signifcant and has caused him so much discomfort as of late :(

Slim, 22 y/o Percheron, has been showing signs of significant arthritis since he arrived in late December and has been difficult to trim on his front feet. X-rays of his front feet show severe high and low ringbone, the vet said one of the worst cases he has seen :( 

Buddy, 11 y/o Percheron, I already knew he had a right hind fetlock and hock fracture with severe osteoarthritis, but I wanted x-rays done to see where we stand right now.  He has responded well to the joint supplement I have had him on and has had many more sound days than lame days!  X-rays of his front feet show a chip in the left front fetlock, which was surprising news :(

Mary, 26 y/o STB, has severe hoof canker and has been seen by Dr. Wright more than once for it over the past year.  I wanted him to assess where she is now and discussed a possible new topical treatment that might be available to help her.

While having the vet out usually results in a large out of pocket expense, in this case, provided much needed diagnostic tools to not only diagnose the horses issues, but alter how they are managed, in this case with supplementation changes and new anti-inflammatory drugs to get them as comfortable as possible when they are getting their feet trimmed.

Ringbone is bone growth in the pastern or coffin joint of a horse, and in severe cases, the growth can encircle the bones, giving ringbone it's name!  It is not uncommon to see degrees of ringbone in large horses who have had long working careers.  It is often difficult to return a horse with ringbone to soundness and in many it leads to retirement.

 

One of the most heart-warming sights I get to witness almost every morning, is Buddy laying down resting, with Slim standing over him :)

Siegfried, all done with his x-rays!

Cindy Daigre is the owner of Ferrell Hollow Farm, a unique retirement farm for senior and special needs horses in Middle TN.

http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

A Day at Ferrell Hollow Farm

Saturday March 17, 2012

One woman, 10 horses, 8 cats, 2 dogs and 2 goats.  It just took 2.5 hours to care for all of them.  So?  The horses are spread over 6 pasture/paddock locations.  The cats are in 4 different areas.  Every horse receives a bucket meal with necessary supplements, and then enough hay until the evening meal comes around.  Poop is scooped or sprinkled with DE to deter breeding flies.  Nets and buckets are prepared for the next meal.  Everyone is checked over.  Yesterday we had a colicky horse related to ulcers.  This morning that is better. Whew!  A draft has active laminitis.  Another draft comes up lame and is blowing out an abcess.  If you've never worked with drafts, they are quite large and every thing is exaggerated with them.  The mare with hoof canker has a foot that is separating.  The gelding with the stifle injury is not quite as comfortable as he was a week ago.  The 2 Cushing's horses are way too hairy for our unseasonable 80 degree weather.

While this work load may not seem like much to some, realize that I am operating on less than 100%, still rehabbing from ACL reconstructive surgery 9 weeks ago, with continued physical therapy for at least another 2 weeks.

What does the rest of the day hold for this lady?  My house needs to be cleaned.  My farm house also needs to be cleaned-baths, kitchen, appliances, laundry room and windows cleaned before showing to prospective new tenants on Monday.

The laminitic horse needs a watchful eye and increased care, and the abscessed foot also needs more attention.  It is a 7 day a week job with long hours.  A labor of love.

If you would like me to work with you on getting your horse healthy thru a consult, but don't want to pay for it, don't ask.  If you would like me to board your senior, retired, special needs horse for less than my monthly boarding rate, I can't.  If you do however, see the value in these things, please contact me, as I would love to work with you and your horse(s).  This is how I make my living.  This is how I can take in special needs horses that need this level of care and pay for their upkeep myself.  It is not easy work.  It is a true labor of love.  These horses need me and I need them.  They are here to teach me things and I remain open to listening to them.

Please visit my website for more information and support our passion if you can, or share with others--thank you! Cindy Daigre

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

Francis, the black Percheron!

Francis is my 28 year old black Percheron gelding who I completely adore!  I adopted him a little over 2 years ago from Pets Alive, a no-kill sanctuary in NY.  He worked the streets of NYC as a carriage horse for 12 years and was retired to the sanctuary, but still needed a forever home.  Well thank goodness we found each other, because he is one awesome horse!

Despite his struggles with an old right hind deep digital flexor tendon injury, major scar tissue, ringbone, sidebone, and chronic laminitis, he is what I call a SUPERSTAR!  He is tough and happy and doesn't complain.

I couldn't wait for his trimmer to see him this morning.  You see, 2 months ago he was in so much pain from these chronic issues, I just couldn't seem to bring him back to soundness, despite all of my bag of tricks.  His issues have created a cycle of having good days and bad days, but semingly fairly steady for the past 2 years.  But the Fall is harder on him.  He is pre-cushings and the corisol levels rising can wreak havoc on his metabolic system and he was laminitic despite all I had done for him.  Then I tried giving him a supplement comprised of herbs, anti-oxidants and amino acids.  After one week of a loading dose, Francis was a new man!  His stride improved, his front feet moved fluidly in front of him, AND he was weight bearing on all 4 feet!  Something he has not done in forever!  That right hind tendon keeps him on the tip toe a lot of the time.  So WOW-he is moving like the champion I know he is and bossing Mary around even more than usual and feeling a bit frisky :)

So at least for now we are all very happy with his current condition and improvement and thankful every single day I have with him!

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses.

She is continually inspired by the beauty of the gardens she lovingly cares for and regularly creates unique herbal blends based on the plants surrounding her home. As with all of our products, only cruelty-free ingredients are used.

In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine.  www.ferrellhollowfarm.com

Remembering Haley

One year ago today I lost a great friend.  Haley was a great horse--not only in stature, but in his ability to create joy to all that knew him.  He was a great teacher and inspiration, and that part of him will live on with me forever.  I miss you big boy!

 
 
 

Summer Herbal Blend for Horses

Ferrell Hollow Farm has chosen five amazing herbs to blend together for its Summer Herbal Blend.   It contains some of the best known herbs for addressing itchy skin, dull coat, runny eyes and mild digestive issues!

Used in conjunction, Calendula, Cleavers and Nettle are excellent to address dry, itchy skin as well as put dapples into a dark coat. Eyebright is useful for itchy, watery eyes, while Peppermint has a wonderful aroma and is beneficial to the digestive system for use in ulcers, colic or gas.

 
The Summer Herbal Blend can be purchased at  http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. For more information, visit her website at www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or email her at cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com.

Heat Stress in Horses

It has been unseasonably hot and humid for at least ten days now--in the mid 90's with humidity--and it is expected to continue for at least another week!  So what steps do I take to make sure my senior horses are as comfortable as possible?  Here are things we have in place right now:

• Fans in all run in sheds
• Shade screens in all run in sheds
• Multiple sources of salts: white, himalayan and rock salt available free choice
• Clean water as well as water with raw apple cider vinegar
• Sponge baths at evening feed time

Last night Tess was in the lower field at dinner, walked up to the shed and ate.  It was apparent that she was feeling the effects of the extreme heat (as was I!).  I stood her in front of the fans and gave her a cool sponge bath and stayed with her until I was sure she was ok.  Her nostrils were flaring as she had labored breathing and she was quite lethargic.  She is 28 and also has Cushing's disease which makes her more vulerable in temperature extremes.  She was happily back out grazing after she cooled off.

 

 

Fundraiser for Senior Horses!

A Fundraiser to benefit Senior Horses!

Ferrell Hollow Farm (FHF) is a dedicated retirement farm in TN for senior horses over the age of 20, most of who arrive with special needs. In keeping with our passion to help as many senior horses across the country as possible, we have selected a non-profit sanctuary also dedicated to caring for senior horses to help!

Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary (TREES) is a non-profit rescue located in VA.  They are not your typical non-profit horse rescue organization though. Many of the residents come to the sanctuary from backgrounds of neglect or abandonment, but TREES does not dwell on the past.   Instead, they celebrate the personalities that emerge as their elders return to "just being horses" in a low stress environment. http://www.equineelders.org/index.htm  “Honor the Wisdom”!

For a limited time, Ferrell Hollow Farm will donate a portion of its proceeds from sales on their website’s store page to TREES!  Any web order placed from June 1^st thru June 14^th qualifies!  Just go to http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html to begin shopping!

Ferrell Hollow Farm’s Natural Horse Care line was developed out of a need for non-chemical products that actually worked.  All formulas are developed and tested by Cindy Daigre on the senior horses at our retirement farm.  Only pure grade essential oils and pesticide free herbs are used. FHF also has a natural body care product line for PEOPLE! As with all of our products, only cruelty-free ingredients are used (no animals are harmed)!

TREES has created a wish list of FHF items they would love to have.  So help them double up on the benefits by not only receiving a monetary donation at the end of this fundraising period from your purchases, but consider ordering something just for them to use on their elder residents!

Wish List of Ferrell Hollow Farm Natural Products:

*Herbal Skin Gel            *Fly Spray    

*Fly Balm                       *CS Wound Spray         

*CS Wound Gel              *Mosquito Spray

 Use this link http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html to begin shopping!

Mary's Hoof Issue

My local vet, Dr. Williams, was here yesterday to pull blood for Coggins, Insulin and routine panels on most of the horses and to also discuss what is going on with Mary's feet.  Since she has been here, Mary has had this gunk in her central frog sulcus--they are open and deep.  She has very sensitive tissue and will sometimes bleed in that area.

 

I have tried no less than a dozen remedies for thrush and fungus, with no success.  Each morning, I take a cotton round, gently floss the sulcus with a hoof pick to clean out the gunk, apply whatever remedy I am trying that day, and then put on her fly boots.  The flies are attracted to that area and given that she is very sensitive skinned, the boots keep her comfortable and from stomping. 

Dr. Williams gently cleaned and inspected her feet and took a couple of swab samples to be sent to the lab so we can hopefully understand what exactly we are dealing with and then take appropriate action to clear it up.  He knows I prefer natural methods if at all possible, and that I was concerned with using any caustic substances and did not want to damage any live, healthy tissue.  So we will be anxiously awaiting the test results!

 Mary, age 26, Standardbred, retired carriage horse.

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. For more information, visit her website at www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or email her at cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com.

Senior Horse Hoof Care

In addition to picking, cleaning, spraying, soaking as needed the horses feet several times a week, once a week I dedicate to actually doing touch up trims.  Proper hoof care is very important, but can be challenging with our senior residents. 

Francis (age 28) is the most difficult--in addition to being a large, heavy horse, he has chronic issues with both hind feet, one of which can not even be picked up.  Getting his front feet up goes something like this: cluck, pinch, ask, lean, sweet talk from me--resistance, leaning into me, ain't gonna do it momma from him!  I usually trick, er-convince him to pick them up but each time not without him jerking hard trying to slam it down.  I win that battle though as I hold on and tell him "not until I am done", making quick work of a hard situation! ;) Eagle (age 26) is also challenging due to his arthritic knees, oftentimes I can not even get up one of the front feet, and he also has issues behind. But he has been taught to tilt the foot so it can be cleaned, inspected and worked on.  Mary (age 26) has arthritic knees and hip issues, making her challenging as well to get feet up.  She has chronic thrush/yeast in her central sulcus which I have treated with no less than a dozen things for over a year with no signs of clearing it up.  Although Tess and Dawn are getting more arthritic (both ages 28), they are still able to lift all four feet when asked :)  A very good day is when I am able to get more hooves cleaned than expected!!

 

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. For more information, visit her website at www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or email her at cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com.

Herbs for Skin Issues in Horses!

Manage your horses skin conditions from the inside out with herbal nutrition!  Formulated by Cindy Daigre, of Ferrell Hollow Farm, a premier retirement farm for senior and special needs horses in Tennessee.  Herbs in this blend are grown free from any pesticide use and contain properties known to be helpful for skin issues such as Calendula and Nettle. 

Two pounds will last one horse one month.    http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html