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    [RC] PMU Barns - Paddi


    As I had promised earlier this week I am giving a report on 3 PMU barns I went to with my vet. This is a regular barn inspection. One of many.
    I really had my eyes opened.
    2 of the barns breed bucking horses, good bucking horses.The ones from the CFR and Las Vegas.
    I will make this a short summary.
    All mares seemed to be in good condition, happy and healthy.
    Not only did we inspect the mares in the barns we look at every horse they have on the property.
    Paper work is filled out in triplicate on the condition, feed, water, everything you can think of.
    The feed is analyzed and then chopped and mixed to be of the best mixture possible then they get salt and minerals.
    The minerals are mixed to each hay analysis to match the nutritional needs.
    They keep daily journals of water intake of each horse, feed intake. They have GOOD hay in front of them 24 hours a day.
    The boot they wear looks no more uncomfortable then a maxi pad.
    It is slung behind them on stretchy cords.
    They can move around, lay down, scratch and groom each other and even scratch their own ears.
    Some had swollen legs from kicking at the stall but my vet said that goes away after a week or so.. They are just coming into the barns now and it takes some adjustment. Kinda reminded me of teenagers staking their bedroom side. Any horses that are not getting along with their neighbor are sorted and moved to a different spot.
    We looked for thin horses, marks, cuts ect. Did not find much at all.
    The teeth are checked and we floated while a few while we were there. All had good looking feet.
    The barns do not smell. They are extremely well ventilated. I did not hear any coughing which surprized me.
     
    The temp is kept at about 5 to 10 C
     
    Griffin Valley Ranch had the most modern barn and the most horses. The barn was very clean. He has an air exchanger running. I had less trouble with my allergies in the barn then I do at home. The staff were very good and know most mares by name. They breed draft, draft cross and saddle horses.
    My gelding wants to move there and becaome a PMU mare...lol
    All the things he loves. A bedded stall, mares, great food and grain. Good water (our well tastes funny) and lots of attention.
    Griffin Valley ranch is in the foothills of the Rockies. They run school camps and the Calgary police bring young offenders there for some good wholesome horse therapy.
     The horses are all turned out for excersie regularly.
     
    Mares that have edema or swelling at all barns are turned out to pasture until it improves.
    I saw no evidence of cribbing, weaving or any other stabled behavour that I see at the boarding stables.
    The horses seemed happy. I am returning in Jan for the next inspection. In order to draw an honest conclusion I need to follow up through an entire cycle. 
    They also have to keep trak of where they sell the foals and who buys them.
    There are no PMU barns in British Columbia.
    Barns that do not meet the strict rules loose their contracts.
    If anyone wants a PMU foal from next years crop I would be happy to talk to the barn staff and find you a nice one from a nice mare. With good conformation and temperment.
    I am loading picuters up onto a temp web site if anyone is interested in seeing the barns.
    This is not a statement in support of or against PMU barns. Just the conditions as I observed them.

    Paddi Sprecher
     
     
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