Recent content by Fransurrey

To save keep typing the recipe, I thought I'd put it here. I use this on my sweet itch mare and it's the only thing that saves us from her self harming. Sometimes I leave it too long and then I'm playing catch up, but when I'm consistent and apply this every 3-4 days, she's grand, if a little...

For now I'd use nappy cream or udder cream, as both will soothe the irritation. Germoline would be even better, or a haemorrhoid cream (anything with a local anaesthetic in it) if there are grazes/open wounds. I'll put a post up of my concoction, as there seem to be a few posts about itchy...

Our population exploded last week. Sadly not literally! Luckily I have found a new and excellent supplier of neem oil (the only effective repellant, IMO). I'm making it up as part of my benzyl benzoate concoction (10 % neem, 10 % BB, 7.5 % emulsifying wax). Useful for ticks in awkward places...

Some of those are basic pre-transport checks! No professional required. I check electrics, tyres, break away cable and brakes every time it goes out! I checked mine over more thoroughly recently and found evidence that the unloading ramp is starting to rot at one corner! We're getting a new...

Are they good with dogs/children? Check tail carriage (off to one side may indicate previous injury which may/may not affect ridden work). Can they be hacked alone/handled alone on the yard.

With all the talk of vampires, perhaps I can adjust the rumour to ycbm being UNdead??

This reads like a rather fine obituary. Which leads me to the rumour that ycbm is actually dead and is not aware of it, so keeps turning up to the HHO Forum. A bit like Bruce Willis in the Sixth Sense, but with more hair and a bit less angry.

There are videos online if you would like to watch one. I studied a few as part of my research into equine asthma (I developed the equine nasal brush model). Search for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or tracheal wash. They essentially do the same thing, but tracheal wash is normally direct into...

I've never had them before and have probably picked up over 500 by now, this year. We have no sycamores bordering the fields, so god knows where they've appeared from. Must be the woods at the bottom of my field. I have no choice about field as I'm at livery and my field is my field. I'm now...

Sorry, I have to laugh. Rumour mills are just bizarre! I can better this though. When I got together with my OH 20 years ago, some arse spread the rumour that we were into dogging! I mean, WTF??

Quite a nice weekend, actually. Temps well above the forecast, but that of course meant midge central as water is still pooled outside my shelter. SI mare has really held onto her coat this year and suddenly started shedding, so she's rubbed freshly moulted fur into her mane resulting in a...

Depends on the pony shape. My narrow chested 4'9" mare fits Amigos well and they last ages, so lots of secondhand ones on the market. I have to avoid PE as they're ridiculously deep. Weatherbeeta we just about get away with. Shires I have to knot.

The vaccine only works in a few cases (Type I IBH). She's got Type 4, too. :(

Don't put words in my mouth. You wondered. I and others responded as to 'how people think of these things'.

Disagreeing with a couple of posters above in that she is essentially self employed. One can still contract to an employer on a regular basis and at fixed times, with the proviso that it isn't her only contract. My other half did this for many years for fixed hours. Her dog walking (and I...