Ferrell Hollow Farm

FHF Senior Sanctuary Horse-Francis

Francis is a 29 y/o black Percheron who spent most of his working life as a NYC carriage horse.  He's the smallest of our Percherons at 15.3 hands, and weighs 1,500 lbs.  When his carriage career ended, he was placed at Pets Alive, a no kill shelter in NY.  That is where I found him almost 3 years ago!

Francis is a very special needs horse.  He has an old deep digital flexor tendon injury in his right hind leg that has very thick scar tissue.  Therefore it is difficult for him to stretch that tendon and place that foot flat on the ground, so often he uses his tip toe.  This also makes it difficult to trim his opposite hind leg.  However his trimmer and I are able to work around his physical challenges and have improved his feet over the years.

Most recently, he has developed an issue with his right hip, and some days are a challenge for him to get around, while others are not.

Francis also has some vision impairments.  He has cataracts in both eyes, which have gotten worse over time.  He can still see, and is very familiar with his environment, but things such as carrying a bucket towards him, or a hose or cord can cause him to shy.

He also has some dental challenges, at times over producing salvia in his meals, making them a sloppy mess, and will quid hay occasionally.  He loves to have hay pellets placed in his treat toy/tub every day!

Francis's diet is tailored to his specific needs and consists of a small amount of senior feed with a comprehensive joint supplement, flax based vitamins & minerals, probiotics, spirulina and at times prescription anti-inflammatory medication.

Francis is a happy horse, full of personality and life, and super sweet!

If you would like to contribute to the upkeep of Francis, we would appreciate a donation below. Our special needs sanctuary horses cost about $500/month each to care for.

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is a registered Non Profit Corporation, filing for 501c3 status, which allows for tax exempt donations.  Our mission is to advocate and care for special needs senior horses over the age of 20 in need of a sanctuary setting, that are not afforded adequate care and would be considered at risk of neglect or abuse, if left in their current situation.

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

Ways to help FHF Senior Horse Sanctuary

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is now a registered Non Profit Corporation with the State of Tennessee!  We are currently filing for 501c3 tax exemption status.  Our mission is to dedicate permanent sanctuary care to senior horses with special needs that do not have resources available to them otherwise.  We are the voice for the underdog.  The special ones with health issues, mobility issues, chronic issues, and no longer sound or serviceable.  To us they have value, and are worthy of putting time, effort, caring and love into.  To give back to them what they have most likely always given to someone else.  We will be here for them until the end.

How can you help us help these sweet souls?

If you shop on-line, choose us as your cause:  

  http://www.iGive.com/FerrellHollowFarmSeniorHorseSanctuary

If you purchase Triple Crown feeds or forages:

    Cut out the Proof of Purchase (POP's) from all feed bags and send them to us so we can redeem them  and save on future feed purchases!

Purchase any of our hand made, all natural horse and body care products:

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

We will be sharing other ways you can help soon!  Of course let us know if you think of ways as well!

Visit our website for more information about us at: www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

 

 

Ferrell Hollow Farm is going Non-Profit!

After much thought, research and consideration, we have decided it is our best interest to pursue a Non-Profit charitable status for Ferrell Hollow Farm!  We are very excited about this new direction for our senior horses.  We will still offer retirement boarding for special needs seniors who have an owner willing to support them, as well as offer permanent sanctuary for senior horses who do not have a special person to provide for their care. 

We have filed our Charter with the State of TN, and the rigorous process of completing mountains of paperwork has begun!  As part of this, we fully intend to become a 501c3 charitable organization where we can offer a tax benefit to all who support us in our cause by donating goods, services or money!  Keep us in your thoughts, and both I and the senior horses thank you!

Cindy Daigre

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

Goodbye to Striker

I am very sad to say that today we had to say good-bye to Striker ;( 

He came to Ferrell Hollow Farm last fall, after a significant stifle injury that left him unsound, but he was able to enjoy his time here, even with his leg issues. This week he sustained another injury to that stifle, from possibly slipping or getting up, and was not able to recover.

Striker was an adorable black and white spotted saddle horse who brought a smile to every one he met.  Always curious about everything, he loved to follow me around, sniff my pockets, and nudge me for one more face scratch. 

I will miss your sweet face!

Ferrell Hollow Farm is a unique retirement facility for special needs senior horses. 

www.ferrellhollowfarm.net

 

 

 

 

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

Happy Birthday Eagle!

Today Eagle turns 28 years old!  He came to Ferrell Hollow Farm 3 years ago to retire and has been a joy to care for.  He's a tall, lanky QH with a wonderful disposition.  He will get to enjoy even more of his tasty snacks today as eating is one of his favorite activities :)  Here's hoping to sharing many more days with you 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

 

 

Calendula Special *2 days only!*

For 2 days only, when you order a Calendula Balm, you will receive a FREE sample of our NEW Calendula Cream, soon to be debuted!  If you have sensitive skin or require fragrance free products, this one is for you!  This offer lasts thru midnight Tuesday April 10th, 2012!  All proceeds from the sales help us care for the special needs horses we have adopted and retired at Ferrell Hollow Farm!  Our vet is coming this week for x-rays of 3 of the drafts feet and hocks, and to assess our mare with hoof canker.

Ferrell Hollow Farm’s Calendula Balm is very beneficial for healing wounds, soothing dry, cracked or chapped skin in both people and animals and taking the sting out of bug bites!  It has a very mild, natural scent with no essential oils added, making it exactly what those with sensitive skin need.

Cindy Daigre, owner of Ferrell Hollow Farm’s Equine Senior Retirement Farm, 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.

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

The Senior Horses see the Dentist!

Routine dental check ups are a very important part of horse ownership.  Like anything else, it is less costly and better for the horse if preventative measures are taken yearly, rather than waiting until a problem arises!  Horses at Ferrell Hollow Farm are seen a minimum of once a year for dental check ups.

I am happy to say that my dentist completely understands my hesitation of using any form of sedation on the seniors and none of them needed any!!  That is usually the case, but I was unsure of our new drafts :) 

Siegfried was a complete gentleman and never moved an inch.  Mary has become my dentist's favorite as he loves the old style Standardbreds :)  She was a doll, of course ;)  Francis---well, poor old Francis--his vision is certainly not what it used to be ;(  He has cataracts in both eyes and his sight is slowly failing him.  He just had a hard time understanding what was going on, poor thing.  Willie has excellent teeth for a 32 year old, and Maggie has not lost anymore teeth-whew!  Eagle was a gem and never flinched-he has a slight wave to his teeth, but overall pretty good.  Tess is only missing 1 tooth from 3 years ago, and needs floating to keep the tooth above it from getting too long, since it has nothing to wear on it.

Then it was the big boys turn :)  I had told Ben that I had 2 new horses, drafts, that needed to be seen.  They both drop their feed and Slim chews very slowly.  I was sure they needed a tune up since I did not know when they were last done.  He joked that his speculum might not be big enough to fit over Buddy's head, but sure enough it did!  Both Buddy and Slim were complete gentlemen--I was a very proud momma--they stood perfectly still--no head slinging, or pushing from either of them :)

Equine dentist, Ben Bowman, working on Buddy's teeth--notice how relaxed this massive draft is!

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. 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