Hello again! And Happy New Year to you all!

A few years ago I studied Horse Management and learnt a lot by spending far too much time at the yard. During the year we bought 6 new horses, one of them was a lovely little Clydesdale Arab cross, called Gracie. We put them all in isolation, due to a strangles threat. This is what I was told, but I personally think it is a good idea to put all new horses into isolation for a week or two, wherever they've come from, just in case. I was lucky enough to work with them while in isolation, feeding them and the odd mucking out - if my memory serves me correctly, we deep bedded them to save on bedding.

Anyway, the two weeks were up and none of them were showing any signs of strangles and so we put them in with the rest of the horses. Two days later, Gracie came out in a runny nose, discharge from the eyes and swollen glands. I knew from my lectures that these were strangles signs. My yard manager asked me to help her put her back in isolation - a small stable up on the farm. After my lessons - or was I off that afternoon and down in the yard anyway? - we took the horse up to the farm and fought with her for two hours to get her into her stable! She did not like it! Looking back on it I don't blame her, from where she was standing it looked far too small, and dark. But in reality, it was a big stable, one of the sides was only a half wall and the door was on the corner. I put lots of Reiki in that stable (eventually!) and Reiki-ed the horse too, but she was still unsure. 

Eventually she just walked in. I think she figured that she wouldn't win this - and yes it was purely a battle of wills! Contact with her was limited, only a couple of people (a couple from the year above me, the yard managers and myself) were allowed to see her/feed her/look after her. She was a sorry sight at first. And not happy. She had cows across from her for company, but no horses and no people. 

I went up and saw her every day - giving her a carrot or apple, lots of Reiki and TLC. I disinfected before and after seeing her, kept an eye on her symptoms for my manager and slowly built up a bond with her. I tried to see her the same time everyday, and eventually she was looking out for me! 

Her symptoms cleared, lots of Reiki and TLC I think helped her. The vet cleared her and she was back with the rest of the horses.

Gracie was lucky - although she had the symptoms all her tests came back negative for Strangles. I never did find out what it was she actually had - a cold perhaps?

So what is Strangles, exactly? Strangles is caused by the bacterium Streptococus equi. It affects the respiratory system of all equids and symptoms can include, thick nasal discharge, and abscesses on the throat and nasal passages. A fever is also common.

Signs include depression - or a 'dull' look, lack of eating and swollen glands. Depending on the severity, breathing can become a problem too.

It is easily treated, with penicillin based antibiotics (on your vet's recommendation), good hygiene and good stable management. If not caught early enough it can be fatal, however, most cases are curable, with Strangles having a 1% mortality rate. It spreads easily, thus good hygiene and stable management is imperative. Feed buckets should be washed and disinfected after every strangles case - and ideally, a separate set of feed/water buckets and grooming kits should be kept away from all others for that just in case emergency. Disinfected and washed before and after every use. 

Reiki can help with Strangles too - just as in Gracie's case. However, if you suspect Strangles you must call your Vet first. And then you can call your animal's therapist. 

What to write about this week?

I have ideas - Strangles, Laminitis, Colic, Gracie, dogs, cats, horses, college tales. I have run out of Christmas ideas for your pet though. Although, there are - I'm sure - several things you could do with your pet snake, iguana, taranchula, budgie, ants, snails and worms(!) this Christmas. 

Let's keep it light this week and next week, what with the Holiday season well and truly upon us. I sit here, watching my cat sleep. That gives me an idea. Sleeping cats!

The kitten is amusing while she sleeps. If she sleeps on the bed with you, every time you move - she hits you! She does not like being moved while she sleeps. No cat does really, but the other two cats aren't too bad. Yes they get a little bit grumpy, and they'll sulk off to another sleeping destination, but they're OK with a little pet every now and then. The eldest of them - Giles - just *knows* when you're coming over in his sleep. He'll roll over and sleepily cover his eyes with his paws. I really should film it one day and put it up on youtube or something. He's sweet.

Our other (yes, you've counted correctly - that's three!) as a kitten. Wasn't he adorable? He was the runt of the litter, being only half the size of Giles.  I'm so proud of him though, he's not let that get in his way - working his way up to Alpha male. He is now the biggest of the three. He has a really cheeky character too! And boy! Is he quick? No food is safe with Xander. Even if you have your eye on him, he'll get that bit of chicken on your plate, before you even realise he's got his eye on it!

That's my pets, three cats, all with very different personalities! What about your pets? Do you have a cheeky little lurcher that takes the silliest of things off the table? Or perhaps your horse has a preferred taste to your hair? Or does your cat just sleep all day? Either way, no doubt you love them and want to share,  I'd love to hear about them!

Until next week, have a great Christmas or Winter Celebrations, or perhaps you've already had them. Have a great weekend! 

Wow! Is it Friday again already? It's blog time again! :)

Last week we looked at fun things to do with your horse this Christmas, this week, I've been looking high and low for things to do with your cat/dog this year. So without further ado, here are my top 5.

1) Sledging. If it snows where you are that is.  Let's face it dogs love fun! And cats are fascinated by snow - every year. Now I'm not saying strap your beloved pet to a sledge and let go, but snow is just fun for both canines and felines.  

Of course pups and kittens will be even more intrigued by snow. When our cats were younger, we used to play in the snow with them. it's fun watching them try and catch snow that's been thrown up in the air just in front of them. Or even watch them practise pouncing! Puppies are always interested in everything. And a good sledging or even just a play in the snow should keep them entertained for a while ... which leads nicely to ...

2) Picnics in the snow. I know what you're thinking 'A picnic? In the snow? Are you crazy?' No, I'm not! Just hear me out! Make sandwiches with the left over turkey, beef, ham, or whatever it is you are having on Christmas Day add a bit of coleslaw, and make a flask of tea or coffee, or even hot chocolate or soup, wrap up warm and off you go! This is - honestly- my favourite part of our traditions. We head off somewhere in the car (weather permitting) and go for a picnic on Christmas Day! One year, I was working at college on Christmas Day (horses still need mucked out and fed of course) and Mum drove all the way over just so we could have our picnic! Take the dog, unfortunately, if you are going somewhere you can't really take the cat, but why not have one in your garden?


3) Last week I found some recipes you could make for your horse - this week is no different! Treats.  Now a Vet friend told me that tuna is bad for cats! So far, I'm yet to find a cat that didn't like tuna. In fact one of our cats likes boiled broccoli, sweetcorn and tuna! Personally, I would rather give them tuna in spring water, less salt you see. Less salt, easier on the kidneys. So, here are some cat treat recipes. Or why not give them a little bit of the Christmas dinner? Our cats get the skin every now and then. One year we gave our cats high end cat food, Purina Cat Food Gourmet Gold, when throughout the year they get Whiskers or Go-Cat. One problem with this though, it took us months to get them back onto Whiskers! And who could forget a little bit of bacon? 
And worry not, dog-owners I haven't forgotten about you! Try the Meatballs - they're delicious (don't believe me? Ask the dishes!) or there's a whole host of other recipes here! 
Be aware of what you're feeding your pet, and watch out for those that are potentially dangerous to them, currents and chocolate for dogs, anything with garlic for cats, etc etc. 

4) Laser Pen! How could I forget this? Cats (and apparently dogs too) go nuts with these! Of course the fun wares out when they figure out where that annoying red dot actually comes from, but worry not this takes months! My siblings and I used to work together and 'catch' the dot in front of the cats, then when they went for the dot, they can't! We did let them catch it once or twice, but oh boy did they enjoy it. Still do when it comes out every now and then! 

And finally ...

5) Cardboard boxes! A great present for any cat or dog (or even child) this Christmas! The fun! One year, I bought Mum a bear from the Bear Factory, and the kitten loved the box it came in (you know the ones -  they look like little houses, with the door?) She spent hours in the box, opening the door, and then trying to close it when we opened it. (The kitten that is - not Mum!).

Well, that concludes my blog this week, Happy Holidays! Stay safe, and enjoy this time with family, friends and pets.

So, it's that time of year again! So I was thinking what could you do for your horse this Christmas? After lots of searching online, and a few of my own ideas(!) I've come up with a few things.

1) Games. These are fun and fairly easy to arrange (depending on numbers). Get yourself a large space (ideally indoor arena if the weather isn't great) and a few other ponies or horses and riders. Be aware of horses who don't get on well with each other! Get a couple of teams together and have fun!

Some ideas for games? 

• Dress your horse/pony. Add tinsel/ antlers etc - if your horse doesn't shy away and scare with tinsel and stuff attached to their bridle and saddle.
• Straight forward racing, walk and trot. Go up to the 'Christmas Tree' (could be anything a cone wrapped in tinsel or a small plastic Christmas tree) at a walk, then come back at a trot.
• Have some Christmas decorations and see which team can finish decorating the 'tree'. Increase the skill level by having your riders dismount and re-mount before and after adding a decoration.
• A mini relay race. 

The ideas are endless! These are great for kids and ponies, but can also be great fun for the adults who ride too! Just remember, safety is important and if your playing with kids remember to keep an eye on them!

2) A Christmas Treasure Trail (weather permitting). This is kind of a run-off from the previous idea. If you can set up little treats for horse and rider on different 'check points' of a trail. Can be something simple like a 'lucky dip' sweets for the rider and a carrot/mint for the horse. Or something bigger like a lunch or picnic. 

Again, the ideas are endless and even if the weather this year isn't great, you can create a mini one round the yard (minus the horse!). You could of course spend as much or a little on this too. Give everyone 'playing' a map, or leave clues for them to find the next check point.

3) Horse Stockings! We all love to get a little something from Father Christmas every year, don't we? Why should horses be any different? Here are just some ideas of what the put in a stocking

• Apples/Carrots - best and cheap treat are they not? :)
• Shampoo - best time to try a new shampoo
• Mrs Pastures Cookies for Horses - I love this idea! Cookies for your horses!
• Other *small* treats/ gifts suited to your horse

4) Talking of treats, this leads me to number four - Horsey treats! Home made!
Yep - you read that right, home made treats, for your horse, using ingredients you probably have in your cupboards.

My favourite so far has to be the one that lead me to the Horse and Hound forums - Christmas Cake for horses!
Or there's The Magic Christmas Munchy Mix (beware though it has egg in it!) actually, this site has some tasty looking recipes on it!

5) Finally, and this could be great fun for you and your family and friends. A Christmas Ride.
If you can access one, or borrow or whatever, you'll need a horse and trap or horse and carriage. Dress your horse up as a reindeer. And off you go! Dress up as Santa if you want to! :)

Whatever you plan to do - Have a great Holiday!

I'll start with a topic I can talk all day about!


Horses are wonderful creatures.  As some of my stories (and I will share them with you) show, they know what they want and when they want it. 

So where to start? At the beginning I think. My first horse encounter!

At the age of nine I went to stay with family, I would have said then that it was in the middle of nowhere, and away from anything else, but being older now I can tell you that it wasn't. Anyway they had a heavy horse in the field behind their garden. I couldn't believe it! I'd always heard of this kind of thing but, growing up in London, never really believed it. I'd keep an eye out of the window upstairs to see if he was out (we were right at the end of the field) and as soon as he was, I'd be out there, petting him and generally saying hi.

It gets better! Their next door neighbours had gone away for a few days and guess what they had in their back garden? Yep, two horses! Actually, they were ponies, but I didn't know the difference! 

I got to help groom and feed them. I'll admit, they terrified me! For some reason I could handle a heavy horse on the other side of the fence, but actually being in the field with them, that was something else. Their energy and presence was something that I'd never experienced before. After a couple of days with them I began to relax around them.  

Within the year, I received Reiki Level One for my birthday. And this is just the beginning of my Reiki journey.