I would like to thank those in the community who have called me over the years, with genuine concerns about my horses.

Regarding the “concerns” that reach me in a less than kind way:

1) Both horses are over 20 years old, making them seniors. Older horses’ muscles sag like ours, meaning it is harder to keep weight on their top side and older teeth mean a difficult time chewing.

2) Both receive regular visits from their farrier, vet and HARK.

3) Pony has health issues. She is on a special diet. She founders when she eats food with sugar in it. This means that when folks with good intentions feed her apples, carrots or even fresh grass, it makes her sick.

Her farrier said that one bit of an apple or a handful of fresh grass puts her in a great deal of pain. I can always tell when someone has fed her fresh grass or a treat, she won’t stand up.

The treats and fresh grass fed her this summer have caused serious damage to her hooves.

4) For those of you who worry about them during the winter months: I do not blanket until December. It takes a horse until mid-winter to grow in a nice thick coat. Blanketing will interfere with that growth.

5) Their area will be muddy, as most horse areas are in rain country. Their barn offers clean, dry matted floors.

6) Regarding the size of their area, if they were in a stable, they would be standing in a box stall which may have a 10 x10 run out.

7) They have water buckets in and outside the barn, they receive 15 gallons of water per day.

If you ask 10 equestrian experts how to care for a horse, you will receive 10 different answers.

Again, thank you to those of you who call me when you are concerned about the horses.

Sincerely,

Harriet Brouillette

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