Better Everyday

I am pleased to say his summer sore is looking better everyday! This morning there was hardly any swelling left at all. I wish I had taken pictures of his progress but I am glad he is healing so quickly.  This morning I let Diamond have his favorite turn out to himself for an hour while I cleaned and prepped his stall.  He rolled twice!  Once on each side.  I wish I could build him a rolling pit.  He would absolutely love it!  I saw the notion on Pinterest...someday, when I have property, I will make sure I build one.

Summer Sores

So I am trying to balance work, horse time, boyfriend time, me time, laundry time, Netflix time, Game of Thrones time..and it's proving to be trial and error lol but I think I have finally discovered a good schedule so I don't get burnt out.

What I haven't had a chance to document:

Diamond got summer sores.  Which apparently he got 2 summers ago (my parents informed me ..not sure why I wasn't around for that as I have no recollection of the incident).  Luckily I had gone to visit my parents and brought up the strange swelling around his mouth and a small sore that had developed LITERALLY overnight.  I see him night and day so I would know.  They informed me he must have summer sores and gave me a paste to put on his sores that would help kill off the larva.  This was Mother's Day, Sunday May 10th.  I began treatment that night. I had noticed the swelling on Friday evening and the sore was there Saturday morning. On Saturday I had applied Vetericyn and Swat.

For the past 11 days I have been applying the paste and Swat twice a day. The sore on the left side of his mouth has completely healed. The sore on the right side developed two days later on May 12th and unlike the sore on the left side which was inside his mouth, this sore is in the crease of his mouth...it is completely exposed to the elements ie: Flies. It is taking significantly longer to heal but is showing promise.  The swelling is at a minimum now and the sore itself is not growing. Ahh the joys of owning a horse.

To keep up to date with photos and such, check out my Instagram account.

Coconut Oil Hoof Care

Diamond's farrier wanted me to try coconut oil as a moisturizing agent for his hooves. I am supposed to alternate soaking them in water vs using the oil..so every few days I remember to bring coconut oil to the stables from home and I rub the oil into the band above each hoof.  The hoof wall seems to have improved in the short time I've been using the oil and soaking technique. I'll keep everyone up to date here.

So yesterday we did some work with the halter and lead. First, we did lots of desensitization. Then I began by asking for circles around me at the walk..allowing him only to come into the center when I step out in front. That is his cue. Now I just have to be consistent.

I also tried a new cue...getting out in front of him on the lead and tapping the ground, rotating side to side. I was hoping to get some cutting type moves out of Diamond and boy did he deliver. Mostly I think he wasn't sure what I was asking for but he knew to bring up his energy. I think we will work more on that today. I truly do believe Diamond likes having an objective, he likes learning.