Raking calls
A couple of weeks ago I predicted that I would have to wait a few more weeks for spring to arrive, and I was pretty much right! This week the thermometer has risen well into the positive side during the day, although at night it may still drop to the freezing side. At Easter we cleared out one more storage room in the stable, and next weekend I think we will be getting some raking done. The yard has finally thawed, so I can really clean it up after the winter. The area is mostly dry, but there are still some puddles.

The horses still shed hair. I brush them outside every day, and the hair is blown into the forest by the wind to become nesting material for birds. In several years, they have even come to peck what they need right off the pony's back!
Let the fight against summer rash begin
One of my imported horses has had mild symptoms of summer rash every year. I have no previous experience with this, but I decided to start prevention early this year to see if it helps. I will start by washing the whole horse and then gradually add insect repellents and care products. I will report on the results during the spring!
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The author is a hobby stable owner in his mid-thirties. He has three horses in the yard and has been involved in the hobby for thirty years.