It's time for the Friesians and Fell pony to get their teeth checked! A good stable management program must include regular dental visits for the horses.
Once a year, my horses are paid a visit by their lay equine dentist, Brian Stuart. Unlike human teeth, equine teeth are constantly growing, which means their bites are always changing. Because of this, it is very important for a horse’s mouth to be examined for any sharp edges or misaligned molars. The process of correcting these conditions is called floating - filing or rasping an equine’s teeth so that chewing surfaces are smooth and properly contoured for eating. These days, power floating has become a popular method, but I prefer the all-natural, more traditional hand filing process. Yesterday, Brian came to my stable to check on all my horses.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Whenever we see this bucket of tools, we know it’s that time of year again when the lay equine dentist comes to my stable to check on all the horses’ teeth. Yesterday, all my Friesians and Banchunch the Fell pony got their annual dental exams. These are Brian’s tools of the trade. They are called floats. When not being used on a horse, Brian soaks them in a Chlorhexidine solution, an antimicrobial disinfectant. Floats are about 21-inches long. The long handles allow Brian to get to the back molars.
Each float is fitted with a sharp tungsten carbide blade made of chips that are bonded to the base. This is what files each tooth during the floating process. Brian has 10-floats in his bucket. The floats also come in varying angles for use on different teeth. By using these floats, Brian can file sharp enamel points to correct any dental imbalances.
This is an “s” file, a two-sided file used for finishing areas and for polishing the front of the molars section where the horse’s bit sits.
The key to working with horses is to gain their trust, which in turn helps them calm down. Brian spends a few minutes just talking to each horse before he begins working.
Brian has been practicing for more than 30-years. He always works in the horse stalls where they are most relaxed. He starts by checking the front teeth.
Much of Brian’s work is done through feel. He feels for any abnormalities in the mouth. Horses have 42 teeth in all. Of those, 24 are molars and premolars that are constantly growing and being worn away.
Brian uses a float to file any uneven or high edges of the front molars. The process of teeth floating and occlusion adjustment are not painful, but the sound of the rasp may need some getting used to, especially for a horse that is new to dental care. Rinze is very accustomed to Brian and his tools.
Regular dental exams and floating are an important part of a horse’s preventative health care plan, so Brian comes to my stable once or twice a year. Over the years, power floating has become more popular than traditional hand filing, but this manual method is more natural and does not require anesthesia. All that is needed is a knowledgeable practitioner and a trusting relationship between horse and dentist.
After each horse is done, Brian goes over all his findings with my stable manager, Helen Peparo.
And then she logs everything down, so we have records of the horses’ dental health from year to year.
Rufus and Truman “TJ” Junior look on with curiosity – it’s not the donkeys’ dental day yet.
Hylke knows it’s his turn next.
This is a McPherson full mouth speculum. It keeps the horse’s mouth open during the floating process.
Brian places the speculum on Hylke – he doesn’t seem to mind it at all.
After feeling his teeth with his hand, Brian reaches in with a float to assess the back molars and floats those that need it.
Hylke remains still for the entire process. Brian continues to speak softly to keep Hylke relaxed. Fortunately, Hylke has had regular floating at his last stable, so his teeth are in good condition.
Brian is almost done. The speculum is removed and Brian does some finishing touches with the “s” file. Hylke seems to know he gets a c-o-o-k-i-e next.
What a good boy, Hylke. Brian always talks to them after their session so they end positively. All the horses are in good condition – thankfully just some routine work this year.
By the afternoon, all the horses are back in their paddocks enjoying the day’s mild winter weather…
… And of course, eating hay.
It’s comforting to know all the horses, my pony, and the donkeys are doing well here at the farm.
The theme for this year's annual event was “Home is the Tapestry of Your Life." The three-day affair featured more than 150-dealers of fine antiques and art, as well as horticultural exhibitors, and some of the most renowned design, landscape, and architectural speakers in the world. At least 16-thousand visitors walked through the many booths and displays. At this show, there was also a special auction of two chicken coops - one designed by me, and the other by my friend, Christopher Spitzmiller. The coops were built by Cook Builders, LLC in a space designed by Duke Design Group in collaboration with James Dunn of Vintage Millworks. It was a fun project and a great cause - all proceeds from the show benefit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens and the Economic Club of Nashville (ECON). Although I was not able to attend the event, my special projects producer, Judy Morris, went down to see how it all went.
Here are some photos, enjoy. And be sure to see more of my chicken coop on an upcoming episode of "Martha Gardens" on Roku.
The Show is a great mix of antique, vintage, and new items for the home and garden. Many vendors came from other states, but there were also a large number right from Nashville like this booth by Creekside Garden Center – filled with indoor and outdoor plants and gardening inspirations.
This booth was for Moss Studios by Breck Armstrong. It featured many items hand-crafted and carefully made by Breck Armstrong, who was trained by my friend, and master potter, Guy Wolf.
This booth display showed many small leather boxes.
There were lots of cut flower vases and botanical themed wall decorations.
And of course, lots of flower frogs. Do you know what a flower frog is? A flower frog is a A flower frog is a device used to help arrange flowers. Some, such as the Japanese kenzan, are utilitarian metal devices that fit into a vase or bowl and fix the stems by metal needles. Other designs use a number of holes or guides that stems could be fit through for arranging.
In this booth, there was also jewelry – some new, some vintage, and some antique.
It’s always fun to decorate with multiples of one item, such as these botanical prints.
As you know, I love chickens. Judy spotted this charming antique stone rooster garden ornament and took a quick snapshot. It was displayed by Two Maisons – an antiques shop in Colorado that specializes in European Antiques.
And I also love copper. I have a large collection – many pieces decorate the studio kitchen of my guest house at the farm.
VE Designs was also at the show with some of their Swedish Mora Clocks. The classic Mora Clock is a type of floor clock with a unique shape and soft, muted colors. It was a tradition in some Swedish families to gather around the home’s Mora Clock on Sunday mornings while it was wound and readied for the week ahead.
On this wall, a grouping of framed bathing suits from Julie Harris Antiques. Julie has been an antiques and collectibles dealer for more than 30-years specializing in vintage sports and college memorabilia.
Madison James showcased this handmade avian wall hanging.
Atlanta Planters is from Georgia. They had these whimsical antique mushrooms for the garden.
And do you know what these are? These are called staddle stones. Staddle stones were originally used in the 17th and 18th centuries as support bases for granaries, hayricks, and game larders. They typically looked like giant stone mushrooms. These are originally from England and shown here by Finnegan Gallery of Chicago, Illinois. I have a group of square staddles at one end of my pool.
Can you see it? It’s a colorful peacock sitting atop this arbor and bench. The tail was made out of Schumacher fabric. Schumacher, the show’s design sponsor, has been making fine fabrics, wall coverings, pillows and trims since 1889.
And here is a glimpse of the chicken coops Christopher and I designed. Mine is on the left and Christopher’s is on the right. For my coop, I chose board and batten siding with a wood shingle roof, glass windows with screens that open, and sliding doors. Scaled to fit perennial flower beds, holly-filled planter boxes, and a stone wall surround the coops.
Here’s Christopher with one of the show’s co-chairs, Kathryn Saunders.
This is James Dunn of Vintage Millworks, who sourced all the reclaimed wood, windows, and hardware to complete the designed coops.
And here is a photo of Christopher joined by Gavin Duke of Duke Design Group, James, and West Cook of Cook Builders, LLC – all flanked by two “chickens.” Wait until my show to find out how much the coops went for at auction. It was a successful and fun show for those who attended – I hope to go next year!
Here in the Northeast, temperatures are expected to hit 40-degrees Fahrenheit today, with even warmer, spring-like weather at the end of the week - very different from the below-freezing conditions and strong winds we had here just a few days ago.
It's very important to be well-prepared for any storm or drastic change in weather. Before the freezing cold last week, my outdoor grounds crew, gardeners, and stable staff worked hard to ensure everything was safe and secure. They checked that every greenhouse was well-insulated and equipped with portable heaters. They checked all the bird enclosures, making sure adequate heat spaces were accessible to all our chickens and fowl. They also made sure all the animal water systems were in good order and that my horses got a little extra hay in their feeders. Fortunately, the cold snap only lasted two days - it was back to unusually mild winter weather by the end of the weekend.
Enjoy these photos.
At the end of last week, the skies over my Bedford, New York farm were partly cloudy with patches of sunshine, but the forecast called for bitterly cold weather over the weekend. For anyone battling extreme weather, it’s important to have a good supply of food and water— at least for three-days, knowing where all the flashlights are kept and making sure they are equipped with fresh batteries, stocking the first aid kit, and checking that all vehicles are filled with gas – a full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing. Here at the farm, we also have to check all the animals and greenhouses.
I bring my horses, donkeys, and pony indoors when it is gets very cold or windy. I know they would prefer to be outdoors, but it is much safer and definitely warmer in their stalls. We expected below-zero night temperatures, so they were all brought in at the end of the day.
The stalls are all cleaned and filled with a little extra bedding, just to keep them cleaner until they were let out into their paddocks again.
All the waterers are checked. I have automatic systems so these never freeze – there is always fresh water to drink.
Rufus and Truman “TJ” Junior are just in from their day outside and now waiting for their afternoon meal.
… And so is Jude “JJ” Junior. Or maybe she’s waiting for a c-o-o-k-i-e.
My handsome Friesian Hylke is also safe in his stall – watching all the activities in the stable.
Hay is prepared in the barn shower stall. Some of the horses get their hay wet, so we soak it for about 30-minutes and then let it drain completely before feeding. We’re using our Scenic Road wheelbarrow with drain.
My stable crew is very mindful of the horses’ hay intake. Each feeder holds up to three flakes of hay. When they are kept indoors during the bitter cold, we give them a little extra – the eating keeps them warmer and keeps their blood circulation going.
In the goose enclosure, we put down bales for hay for extra bedding. My geese hate being inside. They have a shelter on the other side of the pen, but they prefer to be out and about. The hay also prevents their feet from freezing or getting stuck to any patches of ice.
These geese all enjoy each other’s company and like to huddle together to keep warm.
In the chicken coops, we make sure the Sweeter Heaters are all in working order. I use Sweeter Heaters in all the coops – they’re safe, reliable and easy to install. We got them from our friends at My Pet Chicken, a company I’ve used for many years. These Sweeter Heaters stay at or below a safer heat level, and use far less electricity – and, they’re also designed and assembled right here in the United States.
We also have units down low for those chickens on the ground.
And of course, the greenhouses are well-inspected before any drastic drop in outdoor temperature. I am fortunate to have several tropical hoop houses to keep my large collection of plants safe in the winter.
All the thermometers are checked – there are a few in every greenhouse. To simulate the best subtropical environment, we try to keep the temperature between 50 and 85-degrees Fahrenheit with some humidity.
Outside, more bales of hay are used to give the structures more insulation.
We also install residential door sweeps in all the areas where drafts could enter the hoop houses. The are secured vertically along the side walls.
Inside, The heaters hang from above and are fueled by propane…
… but extra portable heaters are always standing by – just in case.
And although it was getting more windy and cold as the day progressed, look who is out enjoying the weather – a Cooper’s Hawk. This is one of a mating pair that seems to love it here at the farm – thankfully, all my animals are safe in their fenced in enclosures. I love hawks and always enjoy seeing them around my home. We were all set for the cold – which didn’t last long, but always better to be safe than sorry…
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