All Things Green and Happy Birthday Boomer

So before i start saying GREEN GREEN GREEN i want to talk about these wind puffs or wind galls that he has. They have developed on his front legs as well. They are small and not visible on any of his legs, but by running your hand down you can feel the soft fluid buildup. Apparently there is nothing that can be done to stop them, horses who are outside will be better off because they aren't confined to stand overnight, which causes them to be more irritated. Some people i have read suggest you use witch hazel on them, some say you should sweat them with a bandage, others say you should put MSM in their feed, but basically everyone says they can drain them but it's only a temporary relief and they almost always come back. It is suggested that there be a drastic change in the workload of the horse with wind puffs. My coach has said that his are probably caused by his increased workload but she doesn't think i should change what i've been doing. [I ride 5-6 times a week, usually jumping once sometimes twice under 3' so far, the other rides are always flat and non-strenuous, and there is lots of walking hacks throughout the week.] She said many horses of hers developed them with age and that they do not cause lameness or alot of irritation to the horse, especially the small ones he has.

Secondly: Happy Birthday Boomer! On May 16th 2009 he turned 9 years old! It's so exciting seeing him grow up and become more and more beautifull with age. I've owned him for three years on May 28th, and i've been riding him since he was 5 years old! We've been together for a long time and i will own him until he is an old retired grandpa. :] Boomer was born on an island near where i live. I'm quite sure nothing happened to him for the first three years of his life except eating, sleeping and pooping. When he came to our farm he was three turning four. He was broke to ride, but had no further training. He belonged to my coach until his past owner bought him. She rode him and and showed for a while, then i started leasing him the next year.
:) The rest i've already told you many times.
I'm lucky to own such a gorgeous 9 year old boy.

And now GREEN. Boomer has finally been let out into his first grazing paddock! It's absolutley gorgeous back there. Grass up to my knees, and everywhere! I love it. There's a shady treed in area on one side of the paddock, a little stream running through with super-lush grass, it's just perfect. When they get fed all the barn manager has to do is call BREAKFAST and the herd comes running. All of the horses seem happier than ever, after months of so-so hay and freezing temperatures, i don't blame them.

I took my camera out to the barn the day before they got let out into their grazing field. Please disregard and don't judge the state of the paddock. We let the grass grow up to its full potential before letting them into the next one. If it means keeping them in a disgusting, muddy paddock a couple weeks longer to save them ruining the good paddock before it's ready, i say, good. The weather has been rain non-stop. Those horses would have torn up the young grass and been on hay bales all summer. None the less, the paddock in the photos is a bit of an embarassment!