Winter Horse Care- Out For the Good of It

For the last four years, I have had my horses living on my land in a run-in shed year round. This included winter weather. I am now down to one mare that is in good condition and spending her time out.

In winter, as the weather gets colder, I increase her feed, oats, to double,as keeping a good body weight is important to fuel body heat and she gets all the haylage she can eat.Link for feeding info Fresh water is supplied daily. She has a natural hair coat, which I do not clip to help her keep body heat. Her days are spent standing at the top of the field, looking over to the neighbors as they are building a new house. She goes into her shed to eat her hay and rest. She also has access to natural field with bushes, fir trees, a pond and four inches of un-eaten grass from summer. Wintering out helps to keep them healthier because they breathe fresh air and can adjust to the temperature changes on a regular basis. It also encourage lots of movement and exercise to keep warm; this is how horses keep warm in the wild.


Things to remember when wintering out-

1-If your horse is wintering outdoors in a temperate winter climate is careful of rain. Wet cold is far less tolerable than dry cold, and as well as ensuring that there is access to some form of shelter such as a shed, to allow the horse to get out of the elements.
2-Clean out your horse's hooves well. Add a layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves; this will prevent balls of ice and snow from forming in the hooves.
3-Groom your horse. A dandy brush and short curry comb is best. This is not only good for warming the horse's muscles, but serves as an excellent warm-up workout for you too.
4- If your riding, take care about where you choose to ride. Pitfalls for riding during winter are varied depending on whether you're riding in snow or in more temperate muddy, cold temperatures. Things to watch out for include:
•Deep snow, especially where it conceals holes, tree wells, and crevices where your horse could slip down.
•Ice. Any ice is potentially dangerous as your horse has no grip or traction.
•Mud. While a little mud is fine, a lot of mud can cause the horse to become bogged, or to trip. Mud can also conceal objects that might harm your horse. Large areas of mud are best avoided.
•Wet slopes. Take care riding a horse down a wet slope, as it is easy to lose grip, especially when going fast, and moving over wet stony or rocky areas.
•Never canter or gallop your horse in snowy, muddy, icy, or slick terrain.

If your horse is kept inside all winter be aware of possible winter ills. Just like us, horses get sick during winter and it's important to know what to be on the lookout for, and how to manage the problems that human intervention can cause.
•Horses are susceptible to respiratory illnesses during winter. The ammonia build-up, mold, and dust inside barns and stables can bring on a variety of respiratory illnesses. Do your best to prevent this by ensuring adequate ventilation and giving your horse plenty of outdoor opportunities to breathe in fresh air. Clean out stalls regularly.
•Horses are also susceptible to skin conditions during winter, such as rain-rot, bed itch, ringworm, lice, and infected scratches. Keep the horse clean, groomed, and medicated appropriately. Be careful not to blanket a wet horse or to use blankets that do not breathe but cause moisture build-up. See your vet promptly for treatment of skin ailments.

Solomon's Seals` Fifth and Last Pentacle of Mercury-

The seals were developed as symbol of unity and family at the suggestion from one of Solomon's wives. Each symbol within the seal holds a special meaning. From research, I have learned this is the general meaning of each object. Some see these seals as one of the first magikal sigils in recorded history. I'm not so sure of that claim, but ok. Here's one to ponder...

The Fifth and Last Pentacle of Mercury. –

 This commandeth the

Spirits of Mercury, and serveth to open doors in whatever way they may be closed,

and nothing it may encounter can resist it.

Editor’s Note.– Within the Pentacle are the Names El Ab, and IHVH. The versicle

is from Psalm xxiv. 7:– "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting

doors, and the King of Glory shall come in."

Works of this seal is to provides with knowledge and understanding of everything. It also helps to penetrates into others hidden thoughts.

Editor's Note.-- In the center is the name of God, El. The Hebrew letters inscribed about the dodecagram make the sentence, 'IHVH, fix thou the Volatile, and let there be unto the void restriction.' The versicle is:— 'Wisdom and virtue are in his house, and the Knowledge of all things remaineth with him for ever.' -SLM

In W, this is pentacle number 21, where the verse reads "Sapientia et virtus in domo eius, et scientia omnia rerum apud eum in saeculorum saeculi. In Aub24 this is the sixteenth pentacle, but the verse reads, "Et tunc cognovi esse in me scientia cunctarum creaturas, tam quae in coelo, quam quae sub coelo sunt." -JHP (link- http://www.esotericarchives.com/solomon/ksol.htm)

Solomon's Greater Seals/ Pentacles

Seal of Solomon

PRAYER.
When we enter herein with all humility, let God the Almighty One enter into this circle, by the entrance of an eternal happiness, of a divine prosperity, of a perfect joy, of an abundant charity, and of an eternal salutation. Let all the demons fly from this place, especially those who are opposed unto this work, and let the angels of peace assist and protect this circle, from which let discord and strife fly and depart. Magnify and extend upon us, O Lord, thy most holy name, and bless our conversation and our assembly. Sanctify, O Lord our God, our humble entry herein, thou the blessed and holy one of the eternal ages! Amen.

Knot a Chance

When I lived in Short Beach, the neighbour 'down the road' was constantly at war with Japanese Knot Weed. He cut it off at the ground level only to have it grow back twice as fast in a month. He hired a tractor in early Spring to dig it up by the roots only to have it come back in the Fall. He even poisoned it plus his well and still it grew...one day he asked me what I would do to get rid of it. I told him to buy some pigs as they would eat it plus any roots. It would take a year and he would have two good size pigs to butcher or pets, whatever the 'wife' decided. He laughed.  

I did add he could start eating it himself but he didn't like greens. He still have Knot Weed growing 15 years later on him property and he still waves to me when I pass...

(photo- tender new shoots of Knot Weed)

If you know Japanese Knot Weed has had poison applied, I wouldn't harvest it. It takes years for it to come out of top soil and could make you sick. If you have a personal patch, try this recipe : )

Nippon Knotweed Salad

*Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica, syn. Polygonum cuspidatum)
Serves 4. *google “itadori recipe” for more ideas

3 young shoots of Japanese knotweed, steamed for 3-5 minutes, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 Roma tomato, chopped finely
1 small red onion chopped finely
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
3 tablespoons toasted sesame seed oil (sesame flavor compliments Japanese knotweed well)
2 teaspoons Japanese soy sauce, such as Kikkoman
juice of one-half lemon
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried dill

Toss together in wooden bowl and serve.

                                                    Video-  How to ID Japanese Knot Weed

Burdock- Natures Food

Burdock is a plant native to most of the habituated world and has been used for medicine, food and ground cover sense Adam ate the apple. My horse always manages to find a plant in her pasture , just to give me something to do as she nibbles her oats in the mornings.  The plants must be at least 3 years old to have a nice size edible root but the young leaves are a very tasty green most of the growing season.

How to Grow Burdock

Arctium, Biennial

Early settlers brought Burdock to the U.S. American Indians liked it, and included this vegetable in their gardens. Today, it can be found growing wild in many parts of the country. Burdock is an edible root, native to Europe, Asia and Japan. Actually, the leaves and tender, young stems are edible, too. Roots can be eaten raw or cooked. Leaves and stems are usually cooked like spinach.

Burdock has been used in a wide variety of herbal medicines. The most common is treatment of skin and scalp problems, including combating hair loss and dandruff control.  Burdock has also been used as liver treatment, to stimulate the digestive system, colds and sore throats, and even for treatment of leprosy.

Caution: Diabetics should consult their physician before eating Burdock. It could interfere with medication.

Burdock Trivia: George de Mestral invented Velcro after studying how burdock burrs clung to clothing and animal fur.

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Propagation:

Burdock  is grown from seed. Sow Burdock seeds in your garden as early as the ground can be worked. Cover seeds with 1/2" to 3/4" of fine garden or seed starting soil. Tamp soil. Water lightly, if the soil is dry.

Seedlings germinate quickly, in about 4-7 days.

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How to Grow Burdock Plants:

Burdock is easy to grow. It grows readily in the wild, without day human assistance. The attention you provide to it in your garden, will promote bigger, deeper roots, and more plant and seed to harvest. Burdock likes full sun, but will tolerate partial shade.

The soil should be rich, and drain well. The most important characteristic of the soil, should be loose and free of rocks and stones up to a depth of a couple of feet. This allows the roots to grow long and straight.

After seedlings have grown a few inches, thin to 3" apart in rows two feet apart. Weed frequently, especially when plants are young.

Keep soil moist. Apply a general purpose fertilizer once a month.

Did you Know? The roots of some varieties of Burdock can grow four feet long. Some plant varieties can grow up to nine feet tall.

Keep flowers and burrs picked, to promote growth of plant and root.

Tip: Fewer leaves allow denser plants and a higher yield. If you are growing Burdock just for the roots, prune some leaves as the plant grows.

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Harvesting:

Pick leaves and tender young stems for eating fresh. Cook like spinach.

Roots take a long time to grow, over 100 days. Pick when roots are one to two feet long. Peel and eat raw or cooked. Use in soups, salads, and stir fries.

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Insect and Disease:

Insects can be an occasional problem. Treat with insecticide or repellents, as needed.

link-

~How to grow Burdock

~Burdock Recipes

                                                                     Burdock New Growth

                                                          Sticky Old Growth my horse likes : )

Finding the Perfect Spot

  - - - 

I remember back years ago now, when I was trying to learn to meditate.  I started with

 pre-recorded guided meditations. These usually try to lead you back to that perfect 

spot in your consciousness and find a symbol of importance to the mediator. A focus point

 of sorts. Sometimes it was an animal guide, a symbol of childhood of God or just

 a missing part of what you need to succeed. I usually found a cupcake…

 I do not know it I needed a cupcake; it was a symbol for me of something 

I looked forward to, a sweet treat.

I soon got bored of meditating that way, even though it does help beginners to
learn to focus. I began to look for others in meditation groups. I was lucky enough

 to find on Face Book some Buddhist practitioners who found me a local group

 of wonderful friends, Buddhists who were willing to take me in and teach me the silence.

 The wonderful silence…. I remember the first gatherings to practice and the literature

 I received to help me. The practice was to sit comfortable in a quiet spot, relax, 

count to 21, then start again. I did this every day for at least 15 minutes and Sundays

 we practiced at the center for two + hours once a week. I learned walking meditation,

 received sessions with other teachers on Buddhist teachings to help me and found

 a new family.

With the meditation, I soon realized how our mind is constantly in shifting thoughts. Even when we are thinking there is always the sub-conscious adding to the internal conversations. We do not realize this until we begin to slow down the jumble consultations our mind puts on for us. Its endless what we can realize once we do quiet that un-needed thought.

So slow down, listen to the parley and learn we can listen   : )

Link to Basic Meditation-Learn How to Center

Connecting Tree Auras

Tree Auras-

Energy to grow by…

I have often wondered as I have walked the softwood
 cloaked trails of my local area, if anyone else takes
 the time to stop and notice the trees. There are lots 
to learn from watching trees. They

 grow into the environment they inhabit, depending 
on the minerals found in the soil, the terrain and 
water available. They provide a home, safety for
 birds, windbreaks for humans, plus other things
 as recycling carbon monoxide into oxygen for
 the whole planet.

Sitting with them during meditation, one can often 
connect with the energy they provide for us. 
I often try to focus on one individual tree, as 
there are many varieties here in Nova Scotia. 
Quietly observing for several minutes.
 My senses begin to connect with the tree.
 I find in my mind the energy stored with-in is 
branches as it begins to glow to a halo. 
A prism unfolds with-in the branches, moving 
to the tip of every bough. Rainbow colors 
spiraling round and round the tree until it 
has filled with a lucid light. The tree speaks 
to me of all its days, as it reached to the sky. 
It tells of harder times, when the wind has ripped 
its bows, stripping it of its personal protection, 
only to have new growth there later. Its scent 
fills my nostrils with fresh fragrance that moves
 thru my body, healing my muscles, re-focusing 
my mind then returning to the air surrounding me.
 I stay as long as possible with the tree. Its time
 has no meaning, I think...I have that internal clock 
ticking constantly, reminding me of something else 
to do. How sad for me that I can't stay with the living
 wood that the Creator has provided for my enjoyment...today.

Realizing

beauty,

 my nature connection

I return

a mundane world,

walking up

the lane to

 my home…☼

Alder- a Medicial Gift

Alder is a common tree that grows almost everywhere in North America. It was once known for its nutritional value among the Native people.  It is a member of the Birch family and is a tree that likes to live near water, quite often, so close that its roots are partially exposed by the flow of a river. Along with the edible inner bark,it produces some long and hanging almost red/purple female cones along with pale green/purple male catkins.

Its Latin name is Alnus Glutinosa, the latter part of its name probably stems from the the young buds ands leaves being fairly sticky when young as Glutinosa translates to stickiness!

At first glance it may not appear to have anything of use to the forager, but on closer inspection, it is actually a very valuable tree.

Medicinally the Alder is very astringent and the bark can be used as an anti inflammatory, a tea made from the inner bark of smaller branches or the dried buds and chewing small amounts may help relieve Diarrhoea and a tea made of the bark can be gargled against a sore throat. Overdoing it may cause vomiting however and using dried bark is best.

Alder bark treated inflammations, rheumatism, and diarrhea. Bags filled with heated alder leaves helped with chronic skin diseases and burns. A gargle made from leaves and bark cured mouth ulcers and soothed tonsillitis. Alder oil and essence resonate with the Muscular System and can relieve stiffness and damp diseases, enabling us to move forward with flexibility and comfort.
 Most parts of the tree can been used to create a natural yellow dye and it is brilliant for making charcoal as it burns with an intense heat.

To make sure you have identified Alder correctly, there are a few helpful key features. most obvious is that it will have both male catkins and female cones on at the same time (as above) The male catkins look almost similar to that of hazel sometimes smaller, whilst the female organs look similar to tiny open pine cones but are approx 2cm in size. Another helpful clue is the orange lichen that grows on the bark. It's leaves look similar to that of hazel, with a much less pronounced tip, in fact it almost looks blunt and square like. Of course a huge give away is its proximity to water!

Early spring the tree will produce catkins, that some say are edible. Certainly the Red alder of the USA is edible as is all wild varieties. There road side tree is possibly a different variety of alder or it could be due to its sheltered location, be in a more advanced stage of spring growth. On the left is the town Alder catkin, the right is the "wild" Alder

Fresh both are very astringent and unappetising , the wild catkins much firmer.
I would give both the same treatment, simmering in changes of water until the yellow that leaches from them reduces. therefore reducing the astringency. However at this point, I thought it better to concentrate solely on the 'wild' catkins, seeing as i was unable to be sure that the town one was the same Alnus Glutinosa and in so be pointless to experiment with as not many people would have access to the same! Anyway continuing with the wild catkins once boiled in changes of water I thought a good test of its edibility would be to dry and then grind to a flour for use. As there was only a hand full of each the amount of flour produced was little, so enabling me to make something worthwhile, I added an equal amount of Rye flour, shaped it into a small biscuit round after adding water and baked it.

The resulting cake was fairly pleasant. It had the texture of (and you will only understand this if you are a dog owner) a dog treat!..Perhaps a Bonio??, that's not to say it had a meaty taste, but the texture was gritty and bland, however more pleasant than expected. It still retained a hint of bitterness that lingered but not unpleasant. More like the bitterness of unsweetened coco powder (if you have ever tried that!) On the whole, considering its questionable pallatibility, It came out quite well! in fact much tastier than flour I have attempted to produce from Cattail roots so I was happy with the results!! A success almost, I just hope that the nutritional benefits are similar to its American cousin, Id hate to think id wasted everybody's time!

Links- http://forager101.blogspot.ca/2013/02/alder-and-catkinsedible.html
http://www.mun.ca/botgarden/education/resources/ALDER_ACTIVITY.pdf