Summer Time Grass Growth!

This Summer has been amazing. Not only has it been nice and hot but it also has been an awesome time for grass growing. My mare Spec's has been over whelmed with grass!

Here's some pictures of her enjoying the grass and the sun!

Specs thinking I'm going to feed her!

Speckles and me in the long grass

Shade under the tree!

The grass  :O

Shade!

Summer Time: Beat the Bots

So as anyone who owns a horse or even knows a lot about a horse will know that summer time can be a time of misery for some poor horses and owners... Why? The bugs!

In New Zealand in summer we get bee's, wasps, house flies (I hate!!!), horse flies, gnats and BOT FLIES!!!

I hate bot flies and my mare hates them as well! Bot flies pretty much are flies that will lay their eggs on a horses legs or under their belly. As you can imagine the itchy-ness causes the horse to scratch and because a horse doesn't have arms they use their mouth.. And this is how the evil bots work. When a horse scratches the bots with its mouth some of the baby's get swallowed.. But alas this does not kill the evil little minions... No, this is just the beginning of their master minded plan. So the botfly larvae have barbs on their body's that attach them to the stomach lining of the horse which they eat. EWWW! As you can imagine the pain the horse will be feeling to have its stomach lining eaten.

**I Do not own image

Botfly larvae **Do not own image

Bot fly knife **I do not own image

So its our job as horses owners and care givers to get rid of the pests.
From past experiences I can tell you  what helps a lot.



1. If you see botfly on a horses leg there is a big chance the horse has already swallowed some of the larvae so you need to act fast. So go to your local saddler shop and there is a special worming paste especially for botflies.

I Do not own images

2. Using the worming paste does work but if your horse has bot on its legs and stomach
it will just re-infect itself. So that's when a special knife called the bot knife comes in. With this bot knife you scrape the knife down the horses leg to scrape the bot off. (You can't cut the horse unless you do it extremely wrong). Bots as I said have barbs so they do not come off easily. But make sure you try to get all the bot off the legs. Do this about twice a day if possible..

3. One thing I find handy once you scrape the legs is to rub baby oil on the stomach and legs. (It makes the coat slippery and harder for the flies to lay eggs on the horse. Once you have treated the belly and legs worm your horse with the botfly worming paste.

4. Wash your hands! Believe it or not but humans can get infected as well.

5. Other things that help are horse insect spray and fly sheets :)

I hope this helps :)
I guarantee a happier horse after this.
-HorseFrenzy

3 Horse Blogs I Love

There are 3 blogs about horses in this world I truly love. I am always open to find new ones, but when I need something to read, these blogs are where I go.

• Regarding Horses

This is my all-time favourite horse blog. So. Much. Information. This blog is like a horse lovers treasure trove.

• Tales from a Bad Eventer

This is where I go when I need humour. The blog is laid out simply, and has over 100 blogs posts when the writer takes a step back and laughs at things. I thoroughly enjoy reading everything she posts.

• Horse Junkies United

What is better than a huge team of over 20 'ordinary' horse riders that compete in different disciplines? This blog covers so many voids, and I always enjoy reading what is posted.

I am an EQUESTRIAN

Photo belongs to owner

I don't just "own a horse",
I am one half of a partnership,
I untangle manes and scratch itches,
I am a dietician,
amateur veterinarian,
student, athlete, coach,
beautician,
I ride rain or shine,
I mix salves,
nurse bruises,
give kisses,
I can fly like the wind,
and know a horse's love
I am an EQUESTRIAN.

This is so true and I love it!
Anyone that is privileged enough to own, care or ride a horse or just love them would know what the true meaning of this is!

3 Things You and Your Horse Might Want to do This Summer

Here in New Zealand, we are racing toward Summer. I decided to compile a list of things you might want to do for fun with your horse this Summer! Please remember to do everything in a safe way though!

• Go Swimming

Cooling down in Summer is always nice. If you can bring your horse along - even better! Most horses naturally know how to swim. If you have never been swimming with your horse before, Start somewhere shallow and safe. Bring someone along in case something happens.

• Teach Someone to Ride

Maybe there's a kid down the road who would like to learn to ride. If you know enough about horses, and your horse is safe, maybe you could give them a few rides, and teach them the basics like holding the reins, heels down ect. Never go forward with this without parents permission, and remember that you and the rider should always wear a helmet! You never know, it could turn out to be fun for everyone!

• Camp Out with Your Horse

If you trust your horse enough, you could set your tent up in your horses paddock and sleep out with them. If your more adventurous and its safe, take a horse ridding buddy, and ride out somewhere to camp. Remember not to light fires if there's a ban, and always seek parents permission first. 

Happy Summer!

Pic belongs to owner