Equipment

2 inches rain 7/7. Off 7/8 and back at it with #17 on 7/9.  #148 sustained swollen knee due to infected scrape--off couple of days.  Very swollen at the moment.  Typical #148.  Miracle he survives to racing.

We're going 4 to 5 hrs./day here with two horses, and 10 to 15 min. of that is actually on the horse.  Lot's else, of course, and so this post to memorialize a few concerns.

We're going through--despite cool weather just as last year--the most virulent fly season in my memory.  The most energetic animal on the planet?  The fly.  Watch one for a couple of minutes.

I gave up on the fly sprays about 10 years ago and began using the cheap Bronco Spray for shoeing that works for about 10 min. The flies this year are so numerous and aggressive that the weak stuff is failing to work and seriously interfering with tack work.  And so, I took another look.  Has there been progress with these sprays?

Indeed there has.  After some research, this product:

Bite Free is so strong it lasts 3 or 4 days (longer on our cows), the main worry being whether an insecticide this strong has detrimental effects on body organs.  We're without choice, and Bite Free is making the Summer easier for our horses.

7/9--#17--had high hopes for a productive session since the other horses were grazing in Lion's corner.  Not to be.  Horse is having trouble breathing at the gallop due to material in his throat.  I'd forgotten need to hose the mouth before workouts.  We need a mouth washing syringe, if I can find one on the net.

#148 off due to knee swelling.

Thoughts on rider safety, next post.