From: marsh@cs.cornell.edu (Dorothy Marsh)
Subject: More from Jodie Gilmore (3 different topics)
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 20:06:51 GMT



Subject: dry flaky skin


Two summers ago Mira had a dry scaly condition, and it turned out to
be a reaction to fly spray. She has even a worse reaction to that Swat
pink fly cream (which is too bad, because it works great). Her skin/hair
just sloughs off when I use that. So, I've had to go to using a dog/cat
flea/tick spray that is also labeled for fly/mosquito use on livestock.
I get it from my small-animal vet. It is pretty expensive--I haven't
managed to find a catalog source for it yet. The product name is
Para Mist WB (the WB stands for water-based--this is the important
part, because it is the alcohol-based sprays that make Mira break out).

It doesn't work as well as Tri-Tech 14 or other super-sprays like that,
but it works to some extent. I think it is better at killing ticks than
discouraging flies, which down here in NC is a good thing. I've never
seen a tick on her yet since I've been using it, and there is quite
a bit of brush in our pastures, and a lot of tall grass.

Just my 2 cents' worth or a little less, on the subject of dry skin
and fly spray--"your mileage may vary"!
--
Jodie Gilmore
sasjmg@unx.sas.com

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Subject: riding programs for the handicapped



I have worked off and on with the United Way Helping Horses program,
which gives cerebral palsy kids a chance to ride. This is really a good
program, and fun for everybody. The kids range from being able to almost
ride by themselves to having to be held on by two sidewalkers while a
3rd person leads the pony. They learn, to the best of their ability,
to turn the horse, say "walk on" and squeeze to get the horse to walk,
and they learn some parts of the horse and tack, get to occasionally
brush the horses (some can't do this), etc. This is a volunteer program,
where all the sidewalkers and pony leaders are volunteer, the ponies
are donated, etc. I don't know how much it costs the parents, but I'm
sure it's reasonable, considering the special equipment necessary, like
mounting ramps, helmets, kid sized saddles, pony upkeep, etc.

I don't know how wide-spread the program is. But I'm sure your local
United Way office can give you more information.

It's really rewarding to work with these kids, see them learn to
recognize "their" pony, see them build up the confidence to try
trotting for the first time (always attended by sidewalkers--side
trotters I mean), etc. I recommend getting involved in this!
--
Jodie Gilmore
sasjmg@unx.sas.com

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Subject: horses and small animals


My mare Mira likes to chase small animals, with a malevolent intent. As
a matter of fact, where she boarded a couple years ago, we were "persona
non grata" because she killed several of the barn owners chickens. It
would happen this way: Mira never paid any attention to the chickens if
everything was slow and calm. But, if the herd of horses was having
fun by galloping about in the pasture, and her eye fell on one of the
chickens, it was a goner. She will do the same things to cats and
small dogs in the pasture, but luckily for the cats the cats are
(slightly) smarter than chickens, and can move in a direct line for the
fence. But like I said, if she's not running, and the cat's not running,
or if she has a bridle/tack on, she doesn't pay any attention to them.
I even put the cas up on her back, on the bareback pad, and they sit
there and purr, and walk up and down, and she doesn't mind a bit.

Another horse I had really hated dogs--big or small--and would charge
them with 'intent to kill' regularly if she was loose in the pasture
with them. And we owned several dog-chasing Jersey cows at one time.

My horse Mira, doesn't like dogs that threaten to bite her, and will
kick at them. But other dogs, that just come up to sniff without
snarling/barking, she pays no mind to. She kicked this one Sheltie,
who is awful about chasing us, and put him out of commission for about
3 weeks (much to the chagrin of the owner, who owns the trail I was
on--I'd hate for her to tell me I can't ride there anymore--it's the
only exit off my road besides the main highway!). Anyway, the dog is
not too smart, because as soon as he could walk (she kicked him in the
head), he is back to bothering us again. 

Based on my experience, I'd say horses hating attacking dogs, and being
curious about/slightly cautious of other dogs is pretty natural and
common. After all, horses are prey, and dogs are closely related to
the predator, WOLF (although it's hard to see in one of those fuzzy
tiny dogs...). 
--
Jodie Gilmore
sasjmg@unx.sas.com

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