A visit with Martyn at the stable
Yesterday, I blogged a bit about what I did on Christmas. Today, I will post another installment. As many of you know, I am the proud owner of five Dutch Friesian geldings. These are beautiful large horses, bred by Witteveen Stables inn Paris, Ontario. Four of these big boys, Meindert, Rinze, Rutger, and Ramon spend a great deal of time outdoors. However, Martyn cannot join them as they graze and frolic in the paddocks. He has been suffering from collapsed rear fetlocks and suffers swollen joints, sore lets, and hindquarters. We are fearful that he might fall on the uneven ground outside. Instead, Martyn is free to wander around the stable under Betsy's watchful eye. On Christmas, I went to pay him a visit.
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- This is Martyn, one of my five Dutch Friesian geldings at Cantitoe Farm.
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- Martryn is very curious – always looking for a good snack – I just happened to bring some crusts of Balthazar bread to the stable – a favorite treat.
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- Such a beautiful horse!
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- Sadly, Martyn has been suffering from collapsed rear fetlocks and suffers swollen joints, sore legs, and hind quarters. He does not seem to be recovering well.
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- He regularly shifts from one leg to the other – we have kept the back legs shaved and wrapped – regular supplements and massage therapy keeps him happy but not rideable.
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- I love his bright and friendly nature.
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- He always is pensive.
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- Martyn is communing with Meindert in the adjoining stall. Meindert was waiting for is massage treatment for a pulled muscle – The horses get better treatment than I do.
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- Dolma is one of two stable hands who help Betsy Perreten, my horse groom and stable manager.
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- The light was wonderful at the ‘kitchen’ end of the stable.
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- Purba, the other stable hand, joined us for a portrait. The dogs were cozy in their red Christmas sweaters.
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- Martyn is free to walk around the stable while the exterior doors are closed.
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- These are the beautiful name signs for the stalls, which we just got – they need to be mounted in place.
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- I love the Dutch spelling of Martyn.
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- In the tack room, each horse’s tack is marked clearly.
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- The harness decoration is nickeled brass – the tree is the symbol of the farm. All of the harnesses are made by Freedman in Canada. www.freedmanharness.com
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- The stable office has a computer that allows us to check the weather, do research, and communicate with the outside world. It is so different from the stables of old!
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