Ferrell Hollow Farm

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

Rosehips: Rich in Vitamin C

 NEW Fact Sheet written by Cindy Daigre February 2012:

Rosehips: Natural source of Vitamin C

What are Rosehips:

Rose hips are the berry-like fruits of the rose bush left behind after the bloom has died.  Although nearly all rose bushes produce rose hips, the tastiest come from the Rugusa Rose.  Rose hips have a tangy, fruity flavor similar to that of cranberries and can be used fresh or dried.  The fruits begin to form in spring and are best harvested after the first frost, which makes them turn bright red and slightly soft.

Benefits of Rosehips:

Rosehips are one of the richest plant sources of Vitamin C, and with one to two percent by dry weight, rose hips have a higher Vitamin C content than citrus fruit! Rosehips also contain lycopene, (an antioxidant), Vitamin A, Essential Fatty Acids, and Biotin.  Bioflavonoids enhance vitamin C’s ability to strengthen blood vessels, and this encourages healthy hoof growth in horses. They are also beneficial for preventing illness or to restore the immune system after illness. Its natural antihistamine properties can also be useful for the allergy prone horse. 

Using Rosehips in Horses:

Rosehips are commonly used to make herbal teas, by boiling the dried or crushed rose hips for 10 minutes.  Use 2 tablespoons of berries per pint of water.  Always make sure to use rosehips that are clearly marked as being free from pesticides.  The tea can be poured over your horse’s meal once or twice daily.

As horses age, they are no longer able to manufacture vitamin C, so for senior horses, it is wise to supplement their vitamin C needs.  This can be done naturally with a daily dose of dried rosehips or tea in their meals!

*Rosehips are including in Ferrell Hollow Farm's Spring Herbal Blend which can be found 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. For more information on her equine business, including nutritional consultations and natural products, visit: www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

February 2012

 

Chia Seeds for Health

Chia Seeds are Loaded with Nutrients 

What are Chia Seeds           

  

Chia seeds are easy to digest, have very little taste but are one of Nature's most nutritious foods. They are both black and white in color, and the nutrition is the same in both colors of seeds. Chia has no odor, very little taste and doesn't go rancid. The seeds are high in protein, minerals, enzymes, fiber and calcium. Chia is a complete source of dietary protein, providing all of the essential amino acids.

Good for Digestive Health
A unique quality of the chia seed is its ability to absorb more than nine times its volume in water. It produces thick mucilage, absorbing up to 30 times its
weight in water. This soluble fiber cleans the intestines by binging and transporting debris from the intestinal walls so that it can be eliminated efficiently and regularly.  This makes it an ideal addition to the diet of horses with ulcers.

Essential Fatty Acids
Chia seeds contain high levels of both omega-3 and omega-6 oils, and naturally contain more than 60% Omega-3 fatty acid.  According to a study published in the journal "Nutrition Research," chia seed is the highest plant-based source of alpha-linolenic fatty acid.

Vitamins and Minerals
Chia offers a variety of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and magnesium. One ounce of chia contains trace amounts of all B vitamins. Chia is an excellent source of fiber - one serving can provide 30% of the daily requirement.

Nutrients per 1 ounce serving:
Calories 137, Fat 9 g, Carbohydrate 12 g, Dietary Fiber 10 g, 0 Starch or Sugars. Total Omega-3 fatty acids 4,915 mg, Total Omega-6 fatty acids 1,620 mg, Calcium 177 mg, Phosphorus 265 mg, Potassium 45 mg, Sodium 5 mg,  Zinc 1 mg, Copper 0.1 mg.

Chia does not go rancid as other seeds and can be safely stored at room
temperature in a dry place for about two years.
Chia is a USDA food and there isn't a daily requirement for food, but 1 TBS/day is an appropriate serving for people and 1/3 cup per day for horses.

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.

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

Pumpkin Seeds for Health

Pumpkin Seeds: Good for you and your animals

by Cindy Daigre

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are flat, dark green seeds. Subtly sweet and nutty with a chewy texture, they are one of the most nutritious and flavorful seeds around.

Nutrient Value

Pumpkin seeds provide a wide range of nutrients. They are a very good source of phosphorus, magnesium and manganese, and also a good source of trace minerals zinc, iron and copper. In addition, pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein, Vitamins A, C and E, and amino acids Lysine, Methionine, Tryptophan.

One quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds provides 180 calories, 9 grams of Protein and 15 grams of Fat.  This serving size provides 46% of the daily value (DV) for magnesium, 52% of the DV for manganese, 24% of the DV for copper, 16% of the DV for protein, and 17% of the DV for zinc.

While higher in Omega 6 Fatty Acids, they do contain 2.5% of the daily value of Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Natural Dewormer

The pumpkin belongs to the plant family Cucurbita, comprising of melons and squash like fruits. The seeds of many plants in this species are regarded as being very potent and effective teniafuges, which are de-worming agents that can easily paralyze and eliminate intestinal worms from the digestive system. The seeds of the pumpkin are excellent against intestinal parasites.

Pumpkins posses an unusual amino acid known as cucurbitin, which is the main reason for it’s anti-helminthic properties (capable of eliminating worms). This amino acid, cucurbitin is found concentrated only in the seeds of the Cucurbita species of plants.

The use of pumpkin seeds in herbal medicine is mainly as a natural and safe de-worming agent, as the seeds are able to rid the body of all intestinal parasites when used properly.  Pumpkin seeds offer a chemical free and natural removal of intestinal parasites with no known side effects.

Storage

Pumpkin seeds should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark space. While they may stay edible for several months, they seem to lose their peak freshness after about two months.

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.

cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com          www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

FHF January's Featured Product for Horses: Seed Mix

Horses on grass restriction or fed low quality forages may need to have additional vitamins and minerals added to round out their diet.  More forage is fed in the Winter when the grasses are gone, and essential nutrients are lacking in the diet.

Loaded with vitamins and minerals, raw, organic seeds are designed to supplement what is often lacking in a horse’s diet, the natural way!  Naturally low in sugar and starch, these seeds boast good amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and zinc, as well as vitamins B and E.  They also contain adequate amounts of protein, fiber, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

(This blend was formulated by Cindy Daigre of Ferrell Hollow Farm, contains Pumpkin, Sesame, Sunflower and Chia seeds and has been analyzed by Equi-Analytical Laboratories for its nutrient content.)

The suggested daily feeding is ¼ cup and a one month supply is $35.00.

Monthly auto-ship orders qualify for discount pricing!  

http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html

Cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com

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 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.

Buddy & Slim arrive to Ferrell Hollow Farm!

At 9:30 this morning, Steve Merka, with www.haulinghorses.com pulled up with our precious cargo!  Slim was in the back, so we got him off first.  As I walked him in the driveway, Siegfried came over for a closer look.  I saw Buddy come off the trailer and his right hind leg was very stiff, sore and ouchy.  We put them in a stall with hay and water to let them stretch and settle in for a few minutes, so I could formulate my game plan of walking them up thru another pasture and other horses to where they will reside.

Cindy & Slim

Fortunately I had several folks here today with me--Rachel, my farm helper, Alan, my husband, his sister Stacy and Tommy, my fencing handyman!  I asked Rachel which one she wanted to lead and she choose Buddy, thinking he would be slow due to his hock.  So out I go with steady old Slim, turning behind me to see Buddy leaping and hopping, full of himself!  Ooops guess she chose the wrong horse to lead ;) 

Rachel and Buddy

Stacy almost managed to keep Willie from coming over to check out Slim--Maggie never bothered to get in on the action.  Thru the final gate to the home stretch!  Alan was on camera duty while Tommy maned the gates.  Quite a spectacle we were!

Cindy & Slim on the left and Rachel & Buddy on right

Once we got them into their new paddock, we hand walked them for a little while and then set them free!  Buddy had a lot of nervous energy to lose, while Slim just followed. 

Buddy & Slim

They both dropped for a good muddy roll and proceeded to check out their new surroundings.  They have a nice view of the pastures and other horses--probably stimulation overload for Buddy on the first day, but they will quickly settle in.

Buddy has a beautiful high stepping action and is in the lead!

Buddy has been retired at a young age due to osteoarthritis in the right hock, and Slim is older and had just slowed down enough to not work anymore.  Both have spent most of their lives with Fantasy Carriage Company in Michigan and were well taken care of. They are both very sweet boys.  Buddy has quite an outgoing personality, while Slim is more laid back.

Buddy & Slim

We look forward to getting to know them and serving them in their retirement!  Thank you to all who have been supportive of this opportunity to share our lives with these two magnificent creatures :)

Cindy Daigre is the founder of Ferrell Hollow Farm, a unique retirement farm for senior and special needs equines in Tennessee.  www.ferrellhollowfarm.net or cindy@ferrellhollowfarm.com

 

Natural Nutrition For Horses

Seed Mix for Horses  -  A Vital Part of your Horses Diet!

Horses on grass restriction or fed low quality forages may need to have additional vitamins and minerals added to round out their diet.  Fall is the time of year when the grass starts waning, and more forage is fed.

Loaded with vitamins and minerals, raw, organic seeds are designed to supplement what is often lacking in a horse’s diet, the natural way!  Naturally low in sugar and starch, these seeds boast good amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and zinc, as well as vitamins B and E.  They also contain adequate amounts of protein, fiber, amino acids and essential fatty acids.

(This blend was formulated by Cindy Daigre of Ferrell Hollow Farm, contains Pumpkin, Sesame, Sunflower and Chia seeds and has been analyzed by Equi-Analytical Laboratories for its nutrient content.)

The suggested daily feeding is ¼ cup.

Monthly auto-ship orders qualify for discount pricing!   

Contact:  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.

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.

Insulin Resistance in Senior Horses

Insulin Resistance is a condition that can happen to a horse of any age, however when it occurs in a senior, retired horse, it can be much more challenging to overcome.  Diet and exercise are the key elements in correcting this condition.  When a horse is not formally exercised, sometimes diet alone is just not enough to help them loose the excess weight, cresty neck and fat pads.  I am absolutely thrilled to show off Dawn, a 28 year old TWH mare that has been under my care at Ferrell Hollow Farm for several years.  When she came, she had all the classic IR signs and weighed a bit over 1,100 pounds-too much for her frame.  This morning I put a weight tape on her and she is a lean 900 pounds!!!  She looks and feels fabulous.  She gets plenty to eat (forage based) and has paddocks set up to encourage movement in her 24 hour turnouts.  I am so pleased :)

 
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.

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!