I sat on the front porch tonight and ate broiled salmon and spinach sautéed in olive oil and garlic while listening to the rain. What Kathleen and I call an Asheville rain, in honor of what was perhaps her first understanding (for a California girl) of how nice a rain can be. We were attending a Celtic music festival in Asheville. It was a Sunday morning and we were eating brunch at a little restaurant in an old house near the Biltmore Estate. No wind. No storm. Just a moderate rain falling straight down. Warm temps. Sweet sounds. There were two tables outside on the front porch and we had one of them. A three-hour brunch. At one point Kathleen reached across the table and squeezed my hand and said, “At last I understand why you like rain so much.”
That was then. This is now. What I’m experiencing at the moment would be really sweet were it not for the fact that my Sweetie is in California and I’m in Tennessee… and this rain is expected to add at least two inches to the 24+ we’ve had since we brought the horses here barely four weeks ago. This is October. Which I’m told is by record supposed to be the driest month of the year in middle Tennessee. And we have six horses out there in the darkness at least five of which have never seen this much rain in an entire year in southern California.
I’ve had so many emails warning me of horses being out 24/7 on the “rich grasses” of middle Tennessee. That’s another post. So far not an issue. And I don’t expect it to be. But rain rot is. Ever heard of that? I hadn’t. Our guys – and we as well – are beleaguered by so much wet from the sky. Rain rot is a condition – especially for horses not used to rain – that is caused when the undercoat does not have time to dry between rains and crusty legions form that are not serious unless there’s never time to dry out between rains… which has definitely been the case here. You think you’ve planned for everything in the “driest month of the year” but God says not so fast..
Our new vet, Dr. Bobby West, is very bright and very knowledgeable of local issues and he says it’ll take 6-18 months for the guys on the hill to adjust to the foliage they have never seen before. Never mind the rain. Mouse worried me with a swollen left hind that turned out to be an allergic reaction to a thorny weed. Worry, worry, worry. One has to wonder: Was it better in Asheville? No horses. Just a lovely rainy morning brunch. Sweet happy faces.
No. I’ve learned over the years that there is no perfect answer. Life is not a spectator sport. Life is not a perfect sport. But it is one worth living. Figure out your own situation, make the best of it… and LIVE!
Joe
Glad to see you folks are settling in, and you have time for your fans on your blog. I know you probably get way more unsolicited advice than any person deserves, but I just can’t seem to keep my two cents to myself. We live in Virginia, and rain rot is a nasty fact of life here. I’ve found MTG to work wonders on pink-skinned horses, and Muck Itch seems to work on black-skinned ones. Got something to do with pigment, I’m guessing. They’re both made specifically for horses, so they’re reasonably safe. You just rub some on the affected areas every day until all the bumps are gone. Not all horses get it, but some will get it no matter what you do. Just run your hands over their coats each day so you can catch it early. Please don’t pick those scabs- it hurts, and it’s not necessary anyway. After several days (or a week) of treatment, just take a flea comb, or something similar, and gently comb away the scabs that have grown out with the hair. Simple as pie, and pain free. Sorry this is so long, but I really wanted to help you steer away from all the home remedies you’re bound to get. Good luck, and God Bless!
Hello, Joe! 10-13, CALIFORNIA experienced a record deluge, especially in the valley here. I have your 9-28 picture on my wall, as I promised, for meditation! Hopefully all the “angels” dry out. Enjoyed this latest update..prayers are always trotting your way!
I sure hope it stops raining soon for you and your beautiful horses. I know what it is like being away from your “sweetie”, My husband lived and worked in Europe for his Company for a whole year while I stayed here in the States. But when he was finally able to come back home it was even better. I know things will get better there and you and your wife and the Horses will have such a wonderful life there in Tennessee!! Keep your chin up. I’m also a California girl that 4 years ago moved here to Arizona and it did get some getting use to, but now I love it “except for the summers”. We did live in Tennesse for a few years while my husband was in the Navy and loved it there also. Thank you for keeping us up to date. If I could I would give all of your horses a kiss on the nose and tell them they will love it soon!!
What a beautiful picture…. I’m happy that everyone arrived safe and sound. I love your new home and hope you and Kathleen (and 4 legged crew) enjoy it for many years to come. I love Tennesse it is so beautiful there. Of course being a Texas girl it may be hard to get me out of this state but your pictures sure have me thinking! I hope you settle in to your new home just fine.
Linda Bland
Barefoot in Texas
Hi Joe
I read your book a couple years ago and could not get over how we were both embarking on this horse thing later in our lives.
So of course I was glad to see that you now have this blog.
After reading this blog, at first I smiled again, as I can see you like me even though we know we are doing the best thing for our horses by leaving them out 24/7. Down deep , we sometimes wonder if we are right or wrong.
My horses usually show me I have nothing to worry about.
Well I live on the east cost of New Brunswick Canada, near the Maine Border. So I can tell you our first winter last winter was scarey . Each time I would worry about the rain/ and freezing rain and look out in worry hoping the horses were taking cover under the trees, there they would be standing right in the middle of it all. Sleeping with ice on their backs!!!
The only time they used their run- ins all winter was to poop.
They amaze me!!!
And we also have had our share of rain here this summer so much so that I was afraid that they would not find a good dry place to hang. I could not imagine them standing in their poop for days. But each day when I went out to scatter their hay in the dry spots and under the trees I realized that they were just fine.
I had a bit of a struggle talking my husband into this set up we have, but once my husband saw just how the horses changed in personlity and he could see just how well they managed he even though won’t say it to me. Knows we have done the right thing.
Anyway am looking forward to your blogs , and by the way. Sorry to hear about your young colt.
I have my first one due April 2010. I am so excited, but also very nervous.
Veronica
Sure wish we could get some of that rain over here in Southern Arizona. We had half of our normal monsoon rainfall here (even less in places). Almost no grass grew on our acreage, so we’ve had to buy feed all summer long. It’s always something, isn’t it?
Hey Joe!
Ironically, I am working this year in California and my husband is back in Austin caring for our horses so I know what you mean about sweet moments unshared. One of my horses gets rain rot and Cowboy Miracle clears it tight up if it stops raining long enough to keep it on her. You’ll be surprised at the places you’ll start to itch in all the humidity! LOL
Hang in there. We’ll both be back with our sweeties before we know it!
Is pete ramey in your area, lucky you if he is!
Pete’s far away at all.
Hi Joe,
Don’t worry too much about rain rot. If your horses are healthy, and I’m sure they are, it may not be a problem. My horse had a little of it last spring, and our trainer recommended Listerine! We applied it with a soft cloth, after grooming. I know you have six horses, but I think regular grooming helps get rid of flaky patches and helps distribute natural oils. Good luck!