" Thrush" No its not in the mouth.

Equine thrush is a bacterial infection, F. necrophorum, which develops in moist airless areas of the hoof, especially the frog. The frog is a heart-shaped muscle in the center of the hoof. If thrush is left untreated, bacterial growth will cause the frog to become soft and spongy. causing permanent hoof damage and lameness.

Cause As the horse walks, the hoof becomes packed with manure, debris and dirt that forms an anaerobic environment conducive to bacterial growth. The bacterial infection begins to damage the frog, causing soreness of the hoof. Symptom Equine thrush is characterized by a black, moist, almost gooey substance surrounding the frog, as well as a strong, foul odor. The hoof sole and frog area may also be tender. After cleaning out the hoof, a dark stain will remain on the frog. Hoof Care Curing thrush begins with proper hoof care. Since the bacteria are anaerobic, regularly cleaning your horse's hooves with a pick removes debris and keeps the frog area exposed to oxygen, thus killing the bacteria. Trim the hooves every six weeks. That will make it easier for oxygen to reach the infected areas of the frog, and aid you in applying medication directly to the infection. Medication You can spray or rub thrush medication that a veterinarian recommends directly onto the frog. Keep the hoof elevated until the medicine has a chance to reach the deep crevices surrounding the frog. Be sure to wear gloves and old clothing since the medication can stain. An experienced farrier can trim and treat the hooves if desired. Home Remedies Home remedies such as bleach and hydrogen peroxide are more harmful than helpful. These harsh chemicals can burn healthy skin and create open wounds for other harmful bacteria to attack. Environment Not only should the bacterial infection on the hoof be treated, but you must pay attention to the horse's surroundings. Keeping the bedding and stall clean prevents bacteria from breeding in damp areas. Thrush is rare in environments that are clean and dry. Got a story you would like to share with us leave a comment.. :)

Homemade Fly Trap

Homemade Fly Traps Cut a plastic 2-litres soda bottle 1/4 down from the top. Invert top portion into bottom portion. Punch 4 holes at top, tie string (twine) to hold both portions together and hang. Add hamburger or fly bait (I filled the trap with 1" of sugar water and added a piece of ham.). Most flies are too stupid to find their way out!

Is a Stallion ever " Too Old" to Geld ?

LW has a 7 year old stallion with very Stallion behavior. Although Pride is a complete sweatheart to everyone He has alot of nerve. He tears down all the fences even gates and recently uprooted a wood post to get into the lots with the mares. He also has extreme agression with the one and only other Gelding at the rescue.

I stopped for a quick visit the other day and she was in a panic cause he was at it again and had the gelding down. We are trying hard to raise the funds to get him gelded hoping that this behavior will stop but in doing some reading I just dont think with him being 7 years old that this behavior will stop.

For horses gelded late, or after puberty, there is no way to 'turn back time or mating related behavior. And if he has learned he can get his way with people and other horses by being aggressive, gelding will not cause him to unlearn this, only retraining will.

For a colt it can take a month or even take 6 months for him to act in control. When his testosterone levels drop, so will his stallion-like behavior. His metabolism will slow down and he will require less food and more exercise to maintain condition.

After gelding, some horses will retain all of the mating behaviors. These are known as 'proud cut'. While it used to be thought that this was due to a failed surgery, todays surgical skill level suggests that other factors are at work. It may be that the adrenal gland (near the kidney) is producing excess testosterone. It may be that gelding happened well after the mating behaviors became established.

Other bad horse-human manners are the result of bad training. So we are in dilema on what to do if these behaviors will change or if they wont.. Since he already thinks he is the kind of the farm.

Would love anyones opinions on this matter. This is a great Resource that has been brought to our attention and we are hoping they will help us out.. Please share this with fellow Horse owners and Rescues.. Hoping it will help someone out in need !

Lil Wranglers doesnt just have horses.........

There are several of us LW members and we all have a wide variety of animals all of which are furry friends of LW. Especially Lola And Trixie. There are big plans to start bringing Them to Pony day for visits withthe kids.

Recently I contacted Marshall Pet Products since they have been more than generous in the past sending us so much Equine products to try out I was curious about the Rabbit products they sold.. I always have fantastic service when I contact them and she said NO Problem Ill send you out some stuff to try..

Now imagine my total surprise when I open up this box expecting maybe 1 or 2 things and found 6 items to try out. Who knew a bunnie could have so much fun.

 Currently we have 2 bunnies. Lola is the white California Rabbit and Trixie is a double mained lionhead both have very unique personalities and it seemed what Lola didnt care much for Trixie loved..

Over all they both loved the products we have gave them thus far. All the products are totally bunnie safe and edible so if they eat it ( and they did ) it was safe.

The Balls were filled with timothy hay to it gave them a great rewarding treat once they got to the middle. I have more products still in this grand box of goodies that we will be trying out soon...

Everyone please take a second and look up Marshall Pet Products or look them up on facebook and dont forget to tell them Lil Wrangelrs Sent ya !!

Trixie Investigating the Woven Grass Mat.

Trixie Loved the Hide A Way Hut.

Lola Loved the Woven Grass Play Ball especially when they figured out the middle was full of Timothy Hay!

They Both Loved the Hide A Way Hut and it did last for several weeks.
It was a great snack, shelter and play thing !

The fruit stuffer was absolutely the best of all things they tried. I have to admit it didnt last much over 24 hours but because it was so delicious. Stuffed with timothy hay and dried apples.. I will recomend this product to anyone ! We still have some great products to try out and cant wait to give them a chance.. So far 100% From the Friendly bunnies at LW: Hugs from Lola and Trixie

We received products for the purpose of this review.  We were not required or influenced to write a postive review.

Bringing a Horse into the family.

You would be hard pressed to find a little girl who would not be thrilled to have a pony. For some, an interest in horses is a passing fancy, eventually replaced by another hobby. For others, that first pony ride at the county fair is the beginning of a lifelong love of all things equine. Having a horse in the family can be a rewarding experience. The therapeutic benefits of interacting with horses -- in and out of the saddle -- can have a positive impact on your child’s growth. Young horsemen and women learn personal responsibility, problem solving, self-confidence and communication skills through riding and taking care of their equine charges. It gives them a productive outlet for their energy, plenty of exercise and a greater understanding and appreciation for the outdoors. For most budding equestrians, the first step of horse ownership is riding lessons at a local barn where your child will learn how to safely lead, groom, tack up, and ride correctly. Many barns offer young riders opportunities to participate in horse shows, giving them a taste of the rewards and challenges of creating a winning partnership with their horse. It is in riding stables and backyard barns where the echo of “I want a pony” often begins. While riding lessons are a great intro to the world of horses and a low commitment way to gauge your child’s true interest in horses, they typically do not teach your child everything he or she needs to be a successful horse owner. Of course bringing a horse into your family will impact not only your child’s life, but that of your family. Being a successful owner requires a great deal of time, money and a lasting commitment to the care and well-being of your horse. The keys to a long-term, successful relationship with your horse are twofold: making sure you choose an appropriate horse for your goals, skill level and resources; and having the knowledge and understanding to properly care for your horse daily. A great source to help families prepare for the realities, joys, responsibilities and challenges of horse ownership is The Humane Society of the United States’ Horses: Companions for Life program. For potential, new and veteran horse owners, the program gives access to information and resources they need to have a long, successful relationship with their horse.

Do you dream of moving to the country and owning a horse ?

What does it really cost to own a horse? Can you afford to own a horse? If you're thinking about entering the world of horse ownership, it's time to take a look at your budget. The initial purchase price is often a drop in the bucket compared to the everyday costs of caring for a horse. Things to Remember Boarding vs. at-home horsekeeping. Boarding may appear to be the more expensive, less desirable option. However, if you're a first-time owner, having an experienced barn manager to help you take care of your horse is invaluable. If you travel frequently, boarding may be preferable over trying to hunt down a barn sitter every time you leave town. Hay, grain and bedding. These expenses are often included in full board, but some boarding stables will require you to purchase your own. Hay costs vary widely across the country. If you're not sure what hay costs in your area, ask horse owners or check local ads. Vaccinations Range in price you will need to check with your local large animal or equine vet for pricing. Farm Calls Dont forget if your horse gets sick or is injured most vets will pay farm calls but you can pay dearly out of pocket especially if its an emergency. Coggins test. If you travel with your horse for any reason, you will probably need a new Coggins pulled each year. If you travel across state lines, you may need a new one every six months. If your horse never leaves your property, you will likely only need one every two or three years. Regulations vary by state, so consult your vet. Of course then there are your basic needs: Water Electricity Shelter ( dont have a barn then you will have to build a good sturdy shelter ) Farrier ( every 2 mo recommended ) and dont forget about shoes ! Transportation ( do you have a trailor or access to one ). Saddles, blankets and oh so much tack ! Disposals etc.. There is so much to think about before you venture into the land of owning horses.

Welcome to the LW Family " Crazy Horse "

Well on Sunday July 10 at 10 pm the show " Call of the Wildman" aired on Animal planet featuring LW's newest family member " Crazy Horse" Better known around the farm as " Bethie". She is a perfect Lil girl and she is making progress in leaps and bounds.. She once ran so scared of people not about to get too close only close enough to investigate and now she comes up to you. She is doing wonderfully health wise and LW is so proud to have her. We have to say she did give Ernie a run for the money.. She was not about to get caught easily.. We will keep updating pictures as we get them of her and we hope that all you readers were able to tune in to the show last sunday and continue to read and watch as Bethie's Journey at LW continues..