Buck-It-Better

25/10/2025

Due to some confirmed cases of strangles in the surrounding area, we would like to give some advice and put some precautionary rules in place for our upcoming competitions.

We would like all competitors to be vigilant and forthcoming with any information you may think will keep everyone safe.

Before leaving your yard to come to Crow Wood, we would like everyone to take their horses temperature. The “normal” realms is anywhere between 37.2 and 38.3 degrees. It is a good idea to take your horses temperature once weekly so you know what is “normal” for your horse. If you find your horses temperature is not in the normal bracket, please get in touch and we will over a full refund for you.

Other signs to look out for are:
- lethargy
- swollen lymph nodes
- discharge from the nose or eyes
- lack of appetite
- dull eyes/coat

If you suspect your horse even the slightest, it is best to contact your vet and get advice on the steps moving forward.

The barns and yard area are strictly NO ENTRY ⛔️ if you must use the toilets, entry is ONLY permitted from the gate near the horse walker via the car park. Rosettes and test sheets can be collected from the hut near the entrance to the small indoor. The reception area may only be used to access toilets and vending machines.

We all want to be able to enjoy our equine friends safely and healthily so honesty and vigilance is key.

We are looking forward to seeing you all 🦄

22/10/2025

I am soo sorry I have been very quiet on my page, I havent been to visit any ponies since before HOYS.

Being honest, Im still coming to terms with loosing my big best friend a couple of months ago.

As we all are preparing for our neddies for a gruelling winter, I will be back out in November, so please drop me a message if your ponies are need of a massage 🙌🏼

Hope you are all surviving the summer blues!

13/10/2025

Definitely something else to bare in mind!
Fitting drafts and shetlands are not easy!

The hidden damage of badly fitting rugs ❌

Most of us are now clipping for the winter and many horses spend longer hours rugged, but an ill fitting rug can quietly cause significant tissue damage. This is something I tend to preach every year!

Basically tight or uneven rugs create constant pressure over the withers, shoulders, and hips. Over time, this can lead to bruising, fascial restriction, and reduced circulation, causing soreness and really poor tissue health.

If a rug is tight across the chest or shoulders, it can limit scapular movement and shorten stride length. Rugs that slip or twist may cause horses to alter their posture to stay balanced, leading to tension and asymmetry.

🙏 Check & Prevent. Look for rub marks, warmth, or uneven hair growth when removing your rugs. Watch how your horse moves, restricted shoulder action is definitely an early warning sign. A well fitting rug supports free movement, healthy fascia, and muscle balance and makes for a happy free moving horse!

🐎 Have a great winter but keep checking

www.woldsequinemassage.co.uk

09/10/2025

30/09/2025

My littlest BIB member, standing at around 30” and thats 30” full of pure SASS 💁🏻‍♀️

30/09/2025

I had the joys of spending my Friday afternoon with the very lovely Major a couple of weeks ago. 🖤

Hes a beautiful gentleman that was a pleasure to treat just before he struts his stuff around the arena of dreams in a few days time! 💜💛

I will be supporting him and his Team Bridales
by the sideline with a prosecco in my hand 🥂 🤞🏼

Thankyou for trusting me with your very handsome boy 🩵

Best of luck! 🤞🏼 🐴🖤

30/09/2025

Get ready 💇🏼‍♀️ 😆

24/09/2025

Can you do it though? I challenge you all! 🐴💪🏼

20/09/2025

Ive been back to it this weekend, which has been such a healthy distraction after the last week or so!

Met some lovely beautiful ponies over the weekend ♥️

Little highlight was sneaking a quick cuddle with the very handsome Playmaker (aka Gerry) who is my Rose’s daddy 😍

He will be stutting his stuff around that big arena of dreams in a few weeks and we will be watching and supporting him and the fab team he has! 💜

I always thought Rose was majority Merri, but theres no mistaking Gerrys genes 🧬 here! 😆

06/09/2025

Not sure how we did it! But we did it!! 💒 👰🏻‍♀️ 👰🏼‍♀️

With a very challenging few weeks leading up to the wedding, good old horses like to test your sanity 🤣 What we thought would be a fairytale reunion with Merri & Rose, didn’t quite work out that way! Merri had a bit of a meltdown, which caused her to injure her annula ligament (in her bad leg 😭) initially suspected her tendon, we were preparing to say our goodbyes to her 2 days before the wedding. (Shes a huge girl, arthritis, 17 & was severely struggling to get up and down despite a ton of pain meds). Anyway, the scan revealed her tendon still intact but her ligament twice the size of what it should be 😢
But we agreed to give her some time.

We have managed to get her back out in the field and started to reduce pain medication. But we have some serious thinking to do ahead of winter as this type of injury is likely to reoccur (bit like us going over on our ankle badly and it remains weak and easily done again) & her quality of life will always be my priority! If she cannot comfortably get up and down its no life for her! But we have some time to think things through for properly & enjoy some time with her ♥️

Time did work wonders for her & Rose and they are back together, grooming each other and the milk bar has remained closed 💪🏼😆

Rose is doing fabulous & has adjusted to several changes incredibly well! 🌹 😇

Despite our emotional little roller coaster, we had the most amazing day with our fabulous friends & family 🥰

Oh & we added some additional chaos by rescuing a little sausage, everyone meet Nacho 🐾

Yes we are bonkers 🤪

Cant wait to see all your Neddies in the next few months! 🐴 🙌🏼

03/09/2025

😂😂

30/06/2025

CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE LYMPHOEDEMA (CPL) – NOT ‘JUST COB LEGS’
CPL is a condition that we see relatively often in our ‘hairy’ population, but just because it is common doesn’t mean that it should be ignored and considered ‘normal’.

CPL is a long term (chronic) condition which results in the build up of fluid within the layers of skin in the legs (lymphoedema), resulting in inflammation and fibrosis of the tissue within the legs, and the loss of elastin. Affected horses will have thicker than normal skin, and go on to develop nodules or rolls of skin on their legs. These will generally worsen over time.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for CPL, and so long-term, ongoing management is needed to try slow progression of this condition.

Management focuses on four areas:
🟢 Lymphatic drainage – movement, movement, movement! This helps pump fluid back out of the lower limbs. Certain massage techniques and compressive bandaging may help in some cases.
🟢 Skin hygiene – secondary bacterial and yeast skin infections are common in these cases due to the lack of airflow to the skin. Regular clipping of the feathers, medicated shampoos for bathing and good stable hygiene are recommended.
🟢 Ectoparasite control – whilst mites are not the sole cause of CPL, their presence will make things worse by promoting inflammation. In severe cases, topical mite treatments may be recommended over injectable treatments, as the thickness of the skin can be problematic. Fly strike (maggots) are also possible.
🟢 Diet - higher starch/sugar diets are linked to higher insulin levels, and in turn higher levels of inflammatory cytokines within the blood stream – this can promote inflammation within the lower limbs. Therefore, a low sugar diet is recommended in these horses, and weight loss where appropriate.

If you have any questions on CPL, as always, please feel free to contact our team.