Getting My Horses Ready for Spring

March 22, 2022

My beautiful Friesians, donkeys, and Fell pony are all ready for spring.

My equines spend most of their time outside in their paddocks - running, rolling, and grazing. Now that warmer weather has arrived, it's important they have well-fitted accessories to protect them from flies and other biting insects. Fly masks are specially made coverings that horses can wear when they're turned out. They protect them from bites and also provide UV protection for their faces and eyes. Inside my stable, fans are installed in every stall to keep the bugs at bay and to keep them cool. Caring for horses is a huge responsibility, but it brings me great joy to see that they are happy, safe, and comfortable.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Everyone loves visiting the stable at my Bedford, New York farm. It is located at one end of my long Boxwood Allee. The Friesians, donkeys, and Fell pony that reside here are given lots of attention from my dedicated stable team.

: Each horse has its own 12-foot by 12-foot stall. The stalls are mucked and cleaned every day. Fans are essential in stables, so each stall is also outfitted with a fan to maintain good airflow and to keep the horses cool in warm weather.

: These fans are covered during the cold season to keep them free from dust. Here, Helen removes the burlap in preparation for the warmer season.

: All the covers are placed into a labeled bin and stored until next fall.

: Next, Dolma wipes down every fan with a damp towel. I always remind my crew that taking good care of our equipment will help them run more efficiently and last longer.

: All our fans are made by the TPI Corporation, a 70-year old comfort conditioning company specializing in electric heating, fan, and ventilation.

: These new floor fans will be used to cool the main areas of the stable outside the stalls.

: Mountable models are positioned above each stall where they can be safely secured and plugged into outlets. Helen and Dolma install this new unit in a stall that did not have a fan.

: They are bolted onto a moveable arms secured to the wall.

: Installation takes just a few minutes. The fans are controlled by a switch on the ground, so they are easy to turn on and off when needed.

: My stable manager, Helen Peparo, and I, are always on the lookout for quality equipment and supplies. Our Crusader™ and Quiet Ride™ Fly Masks from Cashel Company are also very essential in warm weather to protect my equines from bug bites.

: Some of you have asked about these masks. As you can see, none of the donkeys mind wearing them at all. Here are Billie, Rufus, Truman “TJ” Junior, Clive, and Jude “JJ” Junior in the pine paddock.

: These masks have soft form-fitting micro mesh that blocks 70-percent of the sun’s UV rays. Each one also has a special forelock hole to prevent rubbing and to keep the hair clear of the horse’s eyes. Plus, these masks have special ear pockets to keep the bugs out. For the donkeys, we use gray…

: And for my horses and Fell pony – all black. These masks also fit comfortably under the horses’ halters.

: Here, Dolma and Helen walk the donkeys back to the stable for their afternoon meals. Notice, these masks also cover the entire muzzle, which can be very sensitive.

: Once inside, Helen and Dolma remove the fly masks and rinse them of any dirt. Remember, most horses love to roll, so these can get quite muddy.

: Bond is especially sensitive to bug bites, so he also has a fly sheet and fly sheet neck guard.

: All these accessories are attached with strong velcro and are very easy to put on and remove.

: As part of grooming to keep their manes a little cleaner in muddy, spring weather, we also braid them. Dolma is excellent at braiding. Here she is tending to Geert’s long, beautiful hair.

: She braids it tight and close to the top of the neck. Braiding a horse’s mane or tail dates back centuries. When horses became the primary mode of transportation, braiding or plaiting their mane was a way to prevent it from getting tangled up or ensnared in the soldier’s musket. Now, it is done as part of grooming and for show.

: Look how handsome it is once it is all finished. Braiding is also a great way to preserve the health of the horse’s hair.

: Truman “TJ” Junior, loves to watch all the activities from his stall. He especially likes to step up to check on the girls next door – Jude “JJ” Junior and Billie, the only two females, or Jennys, in the stable.