Sky Ranch Sanctuary

A Horse Rescue Organization

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Spring Forward

It’s spring at Sky Ranch. We’ve had lots of rain and we are green green green! The horses have plenty of grass for grazing, and the cool sunny days are perfect for horse comfort. We’ve seen a few flies, but they’re not abundant yet so that makes it even better. It’s always a little disconcerting when we “spring forward” into daylight savings time. (Without the reminder “Spring Forward/ Fall Back I’d have to check the internet each season to check which way to adjust my non-digital watch!) The horses get to eat earlier so they adjust better than us humans, who have to get up an hour earlier to get them fed on time. I love learning lessons from our four footed friends. And I’m trying to take in this one: the days are longer…make good use of them. Life can be troubling and discouraging. Our horses are elderly, and have had some not-so-wonderful experiences in their pasts. But now it’s spring. More time to graze on lush green grass; more time be in the warm sun after dinner; and have a sleeker coat to boot! Spring forward!

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Happy New Year!

Sky Ranch Sanctuary wants to wish all of you a very happy new year. Let’s hear it for positive changes in 2019!

The photo is of Sheldon in his new Guardian Mask. We think he looks like a rock star and very “L.A!”

A few months ago, Sheldon developed a condition called “Equine Head Shaking Syndrome.” It’s a puzzling condition that causes involuntary shaking of the head. There are several attributable causes, and it can be very difficult to treat successfully. One of the causes is sun sensitivity , and with Sheldon we definitely see some causation of symptoms in regard to being in the sun. He doesn’t exhibit the symptoms in the barn in the evening, and the symptoms don’t start till the morning sun has been up for awhile.

After an exam and consultation with our vet, we visited Dr. John Madigan’s website to look for solutions. Dr. Madigan, at UC Davis, has studied this condition and he recommends the Guardian Mask, which gives extra UV protection. The mask is expensive relative to a regular fly mask, but we wanted to give Sheldon the best protection we could, while still letting him enjoy his time out in the pasture. So far, though still exhibiting some milder symptoms, he seems to have improved, and we are thrilled. The condition can improve during the winter when the sun isn’t as intense, and sometimes the condition just goes away. Fingers crossed.

Thanks to everyone who responded to our 12 Days of Christmas holiday fund raiser. May all of us enjoy greener pastures in 2019!

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Merry Christmas! Merry Everything!

We want to wish all of you the Merriest of Holidays! Whatever you are celebrating, go all out!

Our horses are all doing well, and that’s enough for us to celebrate. Thanks to the rain, there is finally some grass peeking up in the pasture. Those of you who live in more northern regions might wish for a white Christmas,  but we on the Central California Coast are very happy to have a green Christmas!

Having older horses is another reminder to try and enjoy each day. It’s all passing way too fast. I think one of the greatest gifts our animal friends give us is calling our attention to the reality that each day is new; that what might look at first glance to be the same scenery you looked at yesterday, is filled with new smells, colors and possibilities. The horses trot out to the pasture each day looking around and checking out what might have changed. Each day, look more closely at your surroundings. You may be surprised!

Have a great, safe holiday, and look forward to the New Year. Might as well. It’s going to be here!

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Thankful

 

Though the official Thanksgiving holiday is passed, it is not too late to be thankful! We at Sky Ranch are feeling gratitude and compassion. The fires did not reach us and for that we are eternally grateful. For those who lost life, both human and animal, we feel so much sadness. Seeing the images of flames and smoke and knowing the heartache of loss affects us all.

There was one fire close to us, caused by a car roll over, but firefighters got it out before it spread. It is all so fortuitous. Sky Ranch is located in a canyon and looking around at the trees that so graciously look down on us the mental image of them aflame is too hard to take in.(The oak leaves stay green no matter how dry we get! They are a miracle in themselves!) It’s so easy to take all of this natural beauty for granted.

We finally got some rain! And hopefully it did not cause too much damage in the fire ravaged areas. As we move into a Central Coast winter, we celebrate green…we’re finally seeing some!

The horses are doing fine. Some of us (including yours truly) are a little stiff some days, but as we get on about our day, the kinks get worked out. The other day I stuck my nose in Digger’s neck and took in his wonderful horse smell. (May sound strange to some, but horse lovers will know exactly what I mean!) I need do that more often. Small pleasures lift us up. I hope you have some small pleasures that will get you through your day. We (two legged and four legged) at Sky Ranch are grateful for all of you. (And a special thank you for Jennifer for gently getting me off my ____ to get something written again!)

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Feeding Horses

 

These before and after photos of Digger demonstrate what a good, edible diet can do for a starving horse! He had his teeth done and then became healthy and robust on a diet of soaked alfalfa cubes, senior horse food, and Platinum Performance (a supplement.)

A neighbor commented on seeing us weigh the hay and measure the senior feed, that doing those things seemed like “overkill” when many people just throw out some hay and the horses seem fine. I’m sure throwing out some hay works for many horses, but at Sky Ranch we believe weight control for our horses is critical to their health and without weighing and measuring it’s impossible to make adjustments to get to a healthier more desirable weight, whether that’s up or down on the scale.

Actually Digger has become a bit too heavy, and we’ve cut back on his alfalfa cubes a bit. He’s still happy and healthy!

I came across a website that has some sensible tips on feeding horses. Check it out of you’re interested and enjoy the summer!  https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-horse-feeding-mistakes-1886500

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