Ferrell Hollow Farm

Special Needs Horses

The definition of a "special needs horse" may mean different things to different people.  I have made it my life's work to help the ones I consider special needs & senior horses.  They are no longer sound for work, and have a number of issues or disorders that require careful monitoring and individualized care.  Just during my 4 hour morning feeding routine this morning this is what I observed in some our residents:

Willie-age 32, has some unusual swelling in his fetlocks

Maggie-age 31, has a wavy mouth and having more issues with getting down her soaked meals

Big Mack-age 27, has hives on one side of his body

Buddy-age 11, pastern dermatitis sores are open and bloody on all four feet

Siegfried-age 23, has a bounding pulse in the left front foot and is very foot sore

Mary-age 26, is lame in her cankerous foot

Francis-age 29, is lame and sore in his entire right hind leg and foot.

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is dedicated to providing individualized care to horses like these that need it.  We are a registered Non Profit Corporation with the State of Tennessee as of 7/20/12.  Visit our website for more information!  If you would like to make a donation, you may mark it as a gift thru paypal at [email protected]

Siegfried having his left front foot soaked this morning!

Happy Anniversary Siegfried!

One year ago today a blessing in the form of a huge white horse was bestowed upon me :)  Siegfried the jousting horse, came to retire at Ferrell Hollow Farm!  I had taken one look at a photo of him (in his winter woolies and up for adoption) and knew that we were destined to be together. I can't say enough good things about this magnificent horse.  He and I have developed a deep connection and bond from the beginning.  This past year has seen it's challenges with my ACL reconstructive knee surgery and his mysterious health problems.  But today we are both better, stronger and doing well :)  He is one of my master teachers and there will be more lessons to come I am sure of it.  Here's to many, many more days of being together big boy!

Siegfried, age 22 in 2011 comes to retire at FHF.

That breathtaking look!

Almost a year later at age 23.

Siegfried June 25, 2012

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 with 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.

The proceeds of the sales of all of our products go towards helping the senior horses in our care!

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

Soaking Pools for Horses

The conditions here in Middle TN became dry very early this spring.  We are well below the average in rainfall, the spring grass has dried up, and the ground is hard and cracked.  The horses feet could suffer in these conditions without an appropriate amount of moisture.  One way to do just that is to put in "soaking pools" around the horses water troughs.  The draft horses especially, drink a tremendous amount of water every day, so it is very logical thinking to add the soaking areas where they will be several times thru out the day.  We have just put in soaking areas in two of our pastures.

Here I decided to use a corner off of the existing gravel path for the soaking area.  Using our skid steer, we dug the ground out just a bit so it is recessed.

Buddy & Slim come over to investigate the action, and find that they love how soft the fine gravel feels!

The water trough is within a few feet of the run in shelter, where the horses spend most of their time during the warm, buggy days.  The area is lined with landscape timbers anchored with one foot pieces of rebar hammered in to keep them from shifting.

When the trough is filled, we let it run over so it can flood the area.  When the horses come over for a drink, they will be stepping in the wet gravel, exposing their feet to moisture!

The big boys, Slim & Buddy love their soaking area!

Here is a smaller soaking area around a 50 gallon water trough and water hydrant-very easy to fill and flood daily!

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

Dealing with Hoof Abscesses

When a horse does not want to bear weight on a particular foot and has difficulty moving around, an abscess is one of the first things that come to mind.  Such is the case with Siegfried today.  At breakfast I found him near the fence, not wanting to move.  I took his meal to him and it took him quite some time to walk to his shelter, where he likes to be during the day.  Hoof trimming was very difficult for him, as really the foot that hurt was the only one he was willing to pick up for any period of time.

During my afternoon check, he had ran out of water in the shelter and gotten outside and found himself in a bind--near the gate, unable to go any further.  He calls to me when I get to him.

My typical protocol for abscesses is to feed anti-inflammatory and circulatory herbs along with homeopathics and biochemical tissues salts to ease the pain, and help bring the abscess to a head.

It was much easier to clean the feed pan and use it to soak the foot, than to get his big draft foot in a soaking boot!

Fortunately Siegfried is a good boy, loves water and to get his feet wet!  Warm water, with a bit of tea tree and lavender oil will help clean the foot and fight infection.

Feel better SOON big guy!! :)

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

 

Soaking Problematic Horse Feet

Today was the day to do a Clean Trax soak on Mary's front feet.  CleanTrax is a deep penetrating hoof cleanser used on tough hoof infections, and does not harm healthy tissue.  It is a lengthy process to use this product.   The horses feet need to be cleaned first (I pick them out then put the foot in a pan of water, add a couple of drops of dish detergent and scrub the foot).  Once the solution is mixed, the horses foot is placed in a reinforced bag, the solution added and the bag sealed to lock in the vapors for 45 minutes!

Mary is a 26 y/o Standardbred, retired from life as a NYC carriage horse. She quietly nibbles at hay while her feet soak.  I use duct tape to reinforce the seams on ziploc bags and vetwrap to seal them closed.

Once it is time to take the feet out of the solution, the next step is to place empty bags back on the feet, seal them again, for 45 minutes so the vapors can continue to penetrate the crevices of the hoof.

It is very helpful to have a horse, such as Mary, who is calm and stands nicely for the entire treatment :)

It was necesssary to clean Mary's front feet with the Clean Trax as a preparation for canker treatment that is beginning this week.  Hoof Canker will be a topic for another blog entry ;)

Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in 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 Body Care Products, Herbal Blends, Seed Mixes and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine.  http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

 

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

Happy Birthday Siegfried!

Siegfried came to me in the Summer of 2011, however it was some months before when I first laid eyes on a photo of him, and an instant connection was made--I knew we were meant to be together!  I have had the pleasure of connecting with the important people from his past and am honored to be able to give him the retirement that he so deserves :) 

He is a strikingly handsome fella, reminescense of a fairy-tale horse with his large stature and long flowing mane.  Unassuming, yet completely adorable he is quite content with his current arrangement--after all--who wouldn't be--his every need is catered to with the utmost respect and love :)

Happy 23rd Birthday Siegfried and I hope that we share many, many more!!!

Siegfried gives BIG bear hugs :)

Siegfried receives treats and kisses from Cindy

 

Siegfried spends his time living the life of luxury at his retirement farm in TN-Ferrell Hollow Farm--a specialized facility for senior and special needs horses! 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

Meet Siegfried!

Siegfried is a 22 year old Percheron who spent his life as a jousting horse at Medieval Scenarios and Recreations (MSR) in NY.  When it was time for him to retire at age 20, MSR sent him to Wright Rescue for rehab and placement.  He was worked with for a year, as he had some lameness/unsoundness issues and they found him suitable for light trail riding.  He was adopted in the fall of 2010, however at the first of March 2011, needed to be re-homed due to the family's changing needs.

I saw the post about him being up for adoption, and felt an instant connection to him when viewing his photos.  It has been a several month process to get him here, and I thank all the ones who cared for him previously for showing him kindness and respect.  He is a magnificent horse, standing 18 hands tall and weighing 2,000 pounds!  He is gentle, kind and unassuming and I am absolutely thrilled to add him to the family of senior horses at Ferrell Hollow Farm!