Boggle- USA bound!

[Denali]

Exactly, I would never put a rain sheet on for warmth. Just flattens the hair with no insultation!

I will need to be rugging him more, not less, than he had in the UK.

If he’s a good hay eater, unlike my guy, he will be okay. Sorry the temps were all in F and not C.

Like us the temp drop is the biggest thing. I fly to Scotland tomorrow and I’m sure I’ll look strange being bundle up but is a 20 degree drop for me.

My hard keeper did well on orchard grass pellets. I’d make a mash for him. I buy the standlee brand. I would add that to his grain and I fed him lunch in the winter of his orchard grass and a pound of triple crown 30%. His breakfast and dinner was a grain they no longer sell here. This also was a horse at my house, so maybe give him a snack when you go.

 

[Michen]

If he’s a good hay eater, unlike my guy, he will be okay. Sorry the temps were all in F and not C.

Like us the temp drop is the biggest thing. I fly to Scotland tomorrow and I’m sure I’ll look strange being bundle up but is a 20 degree drop for me.

My hard keeper did well on orchard grass pellets. I’d make a mash for him. I buy the standlee brand. I would add that to his grain and I fed him lunch in the winter of his orchard grass and a pound of triple crown 30%. His breakfast and dinner was a grain they no longer sell here. This also was a horse at my house, so maybe give him a snack when you go.

That's a good shout. he's never liked grass nuts but I wonder if he will now he doesn't have grass. He could have a tub in his stable to nibble on whenever

 

[Denali]

That's a good shout. he's never liked grass nuts but I wonder if he will now he doesn't have grass. He could have a tub in his stable to nibble on whenever

Sorry I’m still not sure what nuts are but have an idea. Do you feed them straight out of the bag? If they are hard, try soaking. Again I’m learning so sorry.

 

[Caol Ila]

LOL. She was the hardest of hard keepers. Took everything I had (including insulated bloody rugs) to get to March without looking like an RSPCA case. Not in CO, though. I think the hay was better. Scotland was a bloody nightmare.

Why do you think I bought a Highland and a PRE? Fancied the problem in the other direction, for a change.

 

[Michen]

LOL. She was the hardest of hard keepers. Took everything I had (including insulated bloody rugs) to get to March without looking like an RSPCA case. Not in CO, though. I think the hay was better. Scotland was a bloody nightmare.

Why do you think I bought a Highland and a PRE? Fancied the problem in the other direction, for a change.

Yes, but clearly didn't feel the cold- which Bog is, already.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

FWIW I could never get my last horse to consistently eat grass nuts. Some of them just don't.

I went to see Ronaldo at lunchtime and decided to go into the roundpen for some very light lunging. Normally, I wouldn't lunge him at all, but just wanted to give him a little something to do outside of his quarantine pen.

The roundpen was full of grass that was very distracting. He lunged nicely to the left for 3 or 4 times around, but doesn't get the concept to the right and kept wanting to dive for grass. He doesn't give a single F about whips, and I know this because we tried to make him and his brothers move around their field a bit when I was looking at them (to buy) and he was generally the one that was least motivated by the whip.

So it was hard to lunge him with the grass and keep him moving forward. I didn't want the YO to think I was abusing my horse and getting too aggressive with the whip. I probably could've lit a firework off behind him and maybe he would've scooted a step, or not. So I need to lunge him in the small indoor where there is no grass. I just want 2 or 3 times around to the right, and I'll call it a day. I'm not for lunging young horses but it can be useful (to evaluate lameness for example) so I just want him to get the jist of it. He's never lunged before but instantly got the point to the left. I would've let him free in the roundpen, but I don't know that he respects the metal panels.

No planting today while leading, striking out, or rudely pulling himself out of his halter when I go to remove it. He's smart and registers and remembers lessons. He also strikes me as the type that's not going to give a whole lot of f*cks. I may have to turn up his sensitivity later on, but we'll see how he is. I used to have to turn the sensitivity down on my last one! Ronaldo is also naturally curious vs Spooky, it seems.

Poor dude whinnied when I left, and he's desperate for company, but he just needs to hold on until Saturday morning. Then he can be in a herd again. He's actually doing pretty darn good, all things considered.

 

[Caol Ila]

You'll find that the dry cold is very different. Anyway, I don't know how you would deal with a heated barn. Lots of rug changes? I did say I am not a fan.

In a not heated barn, I would chuck them in 200g blanket and leave them in it. I find that it's enough insulation to keep them warm but they won't cook with sudden temperature changes. I'd say look at what the natives do, but I don't trust the natives here because everyone over-rugs.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I have no idea what to do re rugging. I'm just going to not rug and see what happens... But I also don't know this horse well and he's a youngster and can just live naturally (no need to clip). I do want to introduce him to the concept of a rug though, just in case. Maybe I can grab a cheap one for practice. No idea re his size.

I think the easiest thing at a boarding barn is to have a liner and changeable shell, perhaps. Or different blankets, but make sure they are all different colors do easy to differentiate, and then leave instructions on the stall door perhaps.

 

[teapot]

Was just about to say colour coded rugs or tags, and some instructions (perhaps translated if English isn't the first language, or at least see how barn owner manages that aspect) wouldn't be a bad idea, especially so if they're doing the rugging pre turn out. You know him best and you're also paying a fair amount for a service, do (and ask for) what Boggle needs, they'll learn it soon enough

Used tags in my old job, it prevented so much hassle when it came to horses going out in the right rug etc, or indeed livery rugs being used on school horses... ahem.

 

[druid]

Horses are different, I'm sure Michen has plenty of experience looking after Bog by now! Plus there's some really nice American blanket brands....I feel like he needs Baker Plaid in his life to fully embrace HJer life in USA!

If he does struggle with weight we used Triple Crown Senior for almost everything that needed extra calories at the clinic and no one turned a nose up at it.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Duuuude. Boggle does need a Baker blanket!

 

[Michen]

You'll find that the dry cold is very different. Anyway, I don't know how you would deal with a heated barn. Lots of rug changes? I did say I am not a fan.

In a not heated barn, I would chuck them in 200g blanket and leave them in it. I find that it's enough insulation to keep them warm but they won't cook with sudden temperature changes. I'd say look at what the natives do, but I don't trust the natives here because everyone over-rugs.

But he's in dry cold.. and is not as warm as expected given his current fluff level. He is colder than norm.

 

[Caol Ila]

To be fair, I have zero clue what posh CO barns do.

My MA barn was quite posh, but MA does cold in a way CO does not. Everyone had those duvet things for stable rugs and X00g (depending on them and their horse) turnout rugs. The staff would change the rugs as per owners' instructions, but they (hah... me at one point) were mostly students since it was the uni barn, so there was less of a language barrier, and at any rate, everyone expected to be doing it.

My CO barn did not rug as SOP. Most horses were unclipped and unrugged. We were a very different type of outfit to Michen's barn. Gypsum was an exception because she did feel the cold and was a grumpy bitch if cold and wet. But I had to keep it as simple as possible because our lovely barn staff (who were from Mexico) had limited English and did not want to f*ck around with owners' rug faff more than they had to. That stuff wasn't in the barn culture, and it was a hassle if you did want to rug.

I'd ask on COTH or see what your fellow boarders are doing.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

But he's in dry cold.. and is not as warm as expected given his current fluff level. He is colder than norm.

Each horse is individual and you know your horse. Continue to rug him with what you deem suitable. ? The other barn horses will be use to the temps.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

FWIW I could never get my last horse to consistently eat grass nuts. Some of them just don't.

I went to see Ronaldo at lunchtime and decided to go into the roundpen for some very light lunging. Normally, I wouldn't lunge him at all, but just wanted to give him a little something to do outside of his quarantine pen.

The roundpen was full of grass that was very distracting. He lunged nicely to the left for 3 or 4 times around, but doesn't get the concept to the right and kept wanting to dive for grass. He doesn't give a single F about whips, and I know this because we tried to make him and his brothers move around their field a bit when I was looking at them (to buy) and he was generally the one that was least motivated by the whip.

So it was hard to lunge him with the grass and keep him moving forward. I didn't want the YO to think I was abusing my horse and getting too aggressive with the whip. I probably could've lit a firework off behind him and maybe he would've scooted a step, or not. So I need to lunge him in the small indoor where there is no grass. I just want 2 or 3 times around to the right, and I'll call it a day. I'm not for lunging young horses but it can be useful (to evaluate lameness for example) so I just want him to get the jist of it. He's never lunged before but instantly got the point to the left. I would've let him free in the roundpen, but I don't know that he respects the metal panels.

No planting today while leading, striking out, or rudely pulling himself out of his halter when I go to remove it. He's smart and registers and remembers lessons. He also strikes me as the type that's not going to give a whole lot of f*cks. I may have to turn up his sensitivity later on, but we'll see how he is. I used to have to turn the sensitivity down on my last one! Ronaldo is also naturally curious vs Spooky, it seems.

Poor dude whinnied when I left, and he's desperate for company, but he just needs to hold on until Saturday morning. Then he can be in a herd again. He's actually doing pretty darn good, all things considered.

View attachment 101404

He looks really lovely! Loving seeing photos of him and Bog in their new homes.

 

[Denali]

Duuuude. Boggle does need a Baker blanket!

I hate to burst y’all’s bubble but baker is t what it was. Y’all can pry mine out of my cold dead hands ?

ETA region makes a difference yes but boggle will tell you what he needs. Just make sure the barn staff know y’all a both on a learning curve.
As a border, my blankets of different weights were all a different color and I had a small wipe off board outside my stall with the temp ranges of when each should go on with a 10 degree gap so they weren’t hot.

I love seeing pictures of your boy CC!

 

[ponynutz]

Is there an opportunity to layer rugs and get someone else at the yard or YO to remove layers as it gets warmer throughout the day (then you can re-layer in the evening/night)?

This might be advice for when you've been there longer and have made friends/know who's at the yard when.

 

[SBJT]

But he's in dry cold.. and is not as warm as expected given his current fluff level. He is colder than norm.

TBF (and I hate to use that good ole English statement), he had just travelled around the world. Although I don’t have much exp there, i would imagine it does take it time to adjust to a completely different climate and setup and he probably is used to extra rugging. As always you know your horse best.

 

[HashRouge]

TBF (and I hate to use that good ole English statement), he had just travelled around the world. Although I don’t have much exp there, i would imagine it does take it time to adjust to a completely different climate and setup and he probably is used to extra rugging. As always you know your horse best.

Yes I was thinking this. Plus even though he looks well, he might be feeling some side effects from his journey and will certainly be adjusting to a different climate (especially as UK autumn has been very mild). I'd rug him as you feel he needs and not worry too much about what others are doing. You may find he needs a bit less once he has adjusted, or you may not.

Significant temperature changes are really difficult to deal with when it comes to rugging, especially with a horse who is feeling the cold so needs rugging for the colder temperatures. Are multiple rug changes a day possible at your barn? i.e. he could go out with two turnouts on, then have the top one taken off when it warms up a bit, and have a lighter stable rug on when he first comes in, then a heavier one added on top later on? Or something similar with your liner system. I know when I was a groom on a pro SJ yard, we did a lot of rug changing and adding/ removing layers during the day, and I'm imagining your full care set up probably allows for similar. I know you say it warms up a lot during the day, but I wonder if he doesn't feel it as much in his turnout pen as it looks like it's under the trees, so maybe the shade means it is cooler?

 

[Michen]

Have we just moved to the most beautiful place on earth?

He has gained a little condition back I think.

Also I’m afraid he used up all his lives and got bollocked for dragging me. Then spent a while with his top lip hanging over his bottom. He gets so upset when he’s told off, ridiculous prince ?

[video]

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[rara007]

Thanks for the update! What are the other horses there like…?

 

[Michen]

Thanks for the update! What are the other horses there like…?

My initial thoughts are “big”!!! Big and chunky. There’s a beautiful little grey Arab though and an amazing buckskin quarter horse.

 

[Michen]

Yes I was thinking this. Plus even though he looks well, he might be feeling some side effects from his journey and will certainly be adjusting to a different climate (especially as UK autumn has been very mild). I'd rug him as you feel he needs and not worry too much about what others are doing. You may find he needs a bit less once he has adjusted, or you may not.

Significant temperature changes are really difficult to deal with when it comes to rugging, especially with a horse who is feeling the cold so needs rugging for the colder temperatures. Are multiple rug changes a day possible at your barn? i.e. he could go out with two turnouts on, then have the top one taken off when it warms up a bit, and have a lighter stable rug on when he first comes in, then a heavier one added on top later on? Or something similar with your liner system. I know when I was a groom on a pro SJ yard, we did a lot of rug changing and adding/ removing layers during the day, and I'm imagining your full care set up probably allows for similar. I know you say it warms up a lot during the day, but I wonder if he doesn't feel it as much in his turnout pen as it looks like it's under the trees, so maybe the shade means it is cooler?

Yep they will I think put a second rug on at night check but I'm just trying to keep things easy and simple. And it's not ideal to remove a liner when he comes in then put one back on underneath later on!

I think the heated barn is throwing me but today inside there it was 10 degrees. It's set to not drop below 4. Every horse was unrugged (and some had a trace type clip) and Boggle is in 200g. Well actually, he would be in 200g in that temp at home too albiet he'd be more clipped.

What makes it tricky is sometimes the outdoor temp will be much lower than the barn and stay that way, sometimes it will go up to much higher. So there's no blanket rug more for outside then swap to this inside rule that I can write up for the guys who are rugging.

What I'm gonna do is just be there both ends while I can (I will be away for 4 days for the mid and third week in November). Then I can work out what Bog does/doesn't need. I don't know whether to get him clipped in three days when a lady is coming or not, in some ways it'll be easier as then I can work the rugging out further whilst I'm here. In others it may throw a new spanner in the works when I want to keep him warm and he may need to self regulate the odd time I get it wrong. Though, if he's clipped, I can over rug with less concern I guess.

I was thinking of doing an irish clip.

 

[rara007]

When I was in New York some of the horses had literal charts with what rug for what temperature on their stables. I’d be tempted to leave him pretty fluffy (Irish clip maximum) and see how he adjusts over time, if he’s not getting too hot once he starts working. The move and climate change will have him in pony jet-lag body systems wise for a while longer. I have a friend whos dun Connie has been with her in Wales, London, Florida, Kentucky, Arizona and now California!

 

[Michen]

When I was in New York some of the horses had literal charts with what rug for what temperature on their stables. I’d be tempted to leave him pretty fluffy (Irish clip maximum) and see how he adjusts over time, if he’s not getting too hot once he starts working. The move and climate change will have him in pony jet-lag body systems wise for a while longer. I have a friend whos dun Connie has been with her in Wales, London, Florida, Kentucky, Arizona and now California!

There is a barn chart! It's great! Just doesn't fit Boggle That's awesome re dun connie. Bog can only dream of being so well travelled.

He is raring to go and get out on those trails though as he showed me tonight.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Aw, I love Boggle. He's such a keen bean!

 

[Michen]

Aw, I love Boggle. He's such a keen bean!

Hmm yes. Keen and cheeky. The outrage when I went to pat another horse, and then the banging at the door because I was standing away from him filming and not in reaching distance...


https://youtube.com/shorts/xfo7AsAtpiI?feature=share

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Hmm yes. Keen and cheeky. The outrage when I went to pat another horse, and then the banging at the door because I was standing away from him filming and not in reaching distance...

[video]https://youtube.com/shorts/xfo7AsAtpiI?[\video]

Can't be mad at that face! He's too cute.

He's the king and he's also a fancy imported horse now ?

 

[Michen]

Can't be mad at that face! He's too cute.

He's the king and he's also a fancy imported horse now ?

God I know he's so fricking cute and he's literally doubled the cuteness. I don't know if it's because he's missing Bear, or he's being a bit clingy cos it's all new (but I'm getting zero nervousness from him), but he's just ramping it up big time. Today he was doing his begging thing with his leg just because I itched his side where he showed me was itchy.... he begs often but never for that!

Sorry... video overkill... but he really is ridiculous.

[video]

[\video]

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I love his ridiculousness though!