The job itself seemed simple: Move a fence line from one spot to another. We ruled out hiring a professional company to do the job. Sure, it would have been a lot easier, but it would have cost over $5,000 (for that amount I could buy another horse, a much more fun way to spend money).  Plus, we already owned the fence (pricey non-climb mesh) and the posts. All we had to do was move the thing. It had “DIY job” written all over it.

We guessed that taking the old fence down would be the hardest to do and the most time consuming. It included pulling out the staples, rolling up the fence, pulling up all the old fence posts, and filling in the holes they left behind (so no animal or person would step in one and be injured). We planned to be extra cautious that the fence staples were all accounted for. The job took two men about six hours. Not bad.

Feeling quite motivated, we ran a string from point A to point B and marked with  grass-marking  spray paint where the new fence-post holes were to be dug. The surveying team had advised us that it would be wise to put the fence about a foot on our side of the property line they had marked. They explained a different surveyor could disagree on exactly where the line was. That was news to us. So, not wanting any battles in later years, we planned to do just that.

We did hire someone on an hourly basis to help my husband put up the fence. (I offered to help, thinking it would save more money, but we figured the cost of the likely divorce after that would negate any savings.) This guy seemed pretty sensible, claimed to be experienced, and we were pleased to hear that he said he had a flexible schedule. 

After removing the fence, we sent him out to dig the post holes (in a new tractor with air conditioning and a CD player/ radio!). He came back 1 ½ hours later, saying he had received an urgent call and had to leave. Disappointed at the setback, we went out to see how much he had accomplished. As it turned out, if he had worked for us any longer, we would’ve never finished. The holes he dug were off the mark by two feet in some cases, a lesson in “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” 

My never-say-die husband decided to do just that. Out on the line all by himself, he’s already re-aligned 75% of the holes (we wanted a straight fence that looked nice and was safe for horses).  He’s using dry concrete in the holes, which saves time. Sure the 80-lb. bags are a bugger to lift when you’re by yourself, but we’re still young (sort of).

We learned that, in most areas, the moisture from the surrounding soil is enough to cure the cement. The concrete costs less than the hired hand did, yet another motivator, and it’s reliable.  There’s nothing my husband likes more than saving money, especially when it comes to the farm. (Hopefully, the funds he’s saving will outweigh the insurance copays we’ll give to the doctor for pain-killing prescriptions, but if they don’t I’m certainly not going to tell him.)

The horses are looking out toward the new field in anticipation, and I am anxious to see them out there grazing and playing. It’s not going to be too much longer. All that’s left is actually stretching the fence and nailing in the staples. Once my husband gets off the heating pad, he’ll be back at it. I can’t wait for the job to be finished. I’m thinking that the empty acre right behind our house would make a nice extra paddock.

It’s hot. The temperature’s been hovering at 90° for the last several days—something it hasn’t done since one day in April—and the dew point is well into the uncomfortable range.  And I’m grumpy about it. We can’t seem to get anything done. Everything takes longer when it’s this hot. (I’m sure those in more southern states are getting ready to play a tune on their pity violins, but the average high here in central New York in August is 80°, so give me a break. We’re not used to this! )

At a local show over the weekend, horses and riders were both dripping with sweat, but the management never made a “no jackets necessary” ruling. I guess the steward was seated in front of a fan. It’s also been one of the rainiest summers ever, so we’ve gone from finding inventive with ways to stay dry to using power packs to keep fans running outdoors.

Our horses literally look itchy due to all the sweating and rolling in the dirt. Frequent baths are the name of the game (don’t you just love those new ready-bath spray systems?). I’ve been holding my breath, hoping my horse, Sally, doesn’t break out with her nearly annual summer skin fungus. The wet-hot cycle is perfect for that.

We just replaced their thinning salt block, and we’re watching water-trough levels to ensure that they’re drinking plenty of water. (A Horse Journal field trial is underway on a water tank designed to keep water cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter—without electricity.)  I’ve been adding a little more salt to their feeds to ensure their electrolytes stay at a healthy level throughout all this sweating. After all, they can only lick up so much salt!

Fly masks are brushed clean every night and thrown in the laundry bin if they’re just too dirty to re-use. We always have a good stockpile of fly masks (with ears) on hand. The fly sprays are doing their job well, and the horses seem comfortable. (Yes, we’re using chemical sprays, as we need maximum power to help avoid them chipping their feet by stomping away flies. I’ve also been leaning toward the sweat-resistant fly-spray choices right now.)

I prefer early morning riding over early evenings, especially on these hot summer days. Mornings are simply more refreshing, and there are usually fewer bugs and mosquitoes out at dawn than at dusk (do insects like to sleep in?).

When I was in college (those carefree days!), I used to get up extra early so I could ride before class. It was a change I made after working several summers in Kentucky with sales yearlings. We’d get to the sales barns around 5:30 a.m., just as we did in later years when I worked at the training track, getting the bulk of the work accomplished early to avoid the hottest part of the day. You just don’t know how delightful the wee hours of the morning can be until you truly experience them with your horse.

I often joke that I have osteoporosis of the teeth. I’ve spent a lot of money going to the dentist for tooth-crack repairs, and I’m not done yet. Plus, over the last 10 months, I’ve had two root canals.

Not fun, that’s for sure. I was terrified the first time, as I’d heard so many horror stories about root canals. But, with tears in my eyes due to the throbbing ache (I’m not a person who cries easily), it didn’t matter to me what had to be done to stop the pain. Now that it’s over, I know I’d much rather undergo a root canal than endure a severe toothache.

Of course, that experience made me think about my horses and dogs. The dogs get their teeth brushed daily (it’s so quick and easy to do, and they seem to think poultry-flavored toothpaste is just ducky), but trying to brush a horse’s teeth would be more of a challenge.

Our horses do get regular dental care, but I admit it’s not on as solid a schedule as hoof care. If I see something that seems not right, such as problems chewing or a lot of dropped grain or a new bit problem, I think about the dentist. Otherwise, I usually don’t. Now I wonder if there are times my horses have had a tooth or gum problem and been unable to communicate that to me, letting it heal on its own (how long did that take!).

Do you inspect your horse’s mouth regularly? Most of us don’t. You may pick hooves everyday (or at least we do) and watch for skin and coat problems, but opening a horse’s mouth and looking inside is difficult at best, and many of us don’t even know what to look for.

I frequently vent to friends about the lack of solid how-to books available on horse care (ones that I think are good anyway).  When I keep a reference book, it’s because it tells me how to identify a problem, what I can do about it, and how to prevent that problem from happening in the future. I don’t want an in-depth anatomy lesson, I want horse care.

Recently, the book “Caring for the Horse’s Teeth and Mouth” by Dr. Chris Hannes, a veterinarian based in Belgium, came across my desk. This book is one of the best I’ve seen on the horse’s mouth. It’s clear, insightful, and thorough. The photos are excellent, because they clearly illustrate what he’s talking about, and the drawings are appropriate. It’s published by Trafalgar Square and costs $35, but I’ll keep it on my bookshelf forever.  You can see it at www.horseandriderbooks.com.

The book also brings up an interesting discussion about whether the equine dentist should be a veterinarian or a dental technician. Some states, of course, don’t allow anyone but a veterinarian to work on your horse’s teeth. The problem is that some vets hate doing teeth. It may be because they aren’t good at it or it could be due to the fact that they have too many urgent calls to get done. Other vets specialize in teeth and are in great demand, traveling across several states to do the work.

I prefer that a veterinarian does my horse’s teeth, but that’s largely based on who is available where I live. And my vet is really good. When I lived in Kentucky, the dental technician was your best bet for routine services. They were fast, through and well-trained. Plus, they didn’t hesitate to call in a veterinarian for a consultation when needed.

Maybe that’s the most important thing: Look for a thorough professional who doesn’t mind you getting a second opinion and gives you the facts you need to research a situation before making a major decision, such as an extraction, and thinks the more questions you ask, the better.  I’d sure try to get references from an experienced friend or trainer before hiring someone.

We all know the saying “no hoof, no horse.” I think we should add “no teeth, no horse.” There are ways to treat most serious teeth problems, but they can be costly and difficult. Regular preventative work and watching for early signs of a problem are economical defenses.  A severe tooth/gum problem is distracting, to say the least. Trust me, I’ve got first-hand experience.