Just Say No to Cotton Wool!

Say yes to bananas!

Cotton wool is a big no no in our world!  It's fine for first aid emergencies but definitely not for wrapping us up in, thank you.  We were chatting to FH earlier about wrapping us up in cotton wool (animal or human-imal) and nope we just don't like it....

Our poor Pocket Labrador Friend has had a bit of a bump, oops he ran after his ball a bit too quick and is now hopping around on three legs, don't worry friends he is the indestructa-dog and the doggy doctor thinks he'll be fine.  But it got us to thinking about this and something else FH showed us recently.

Imagine our disgust when FH showed us a recent forum post saying that it was irresponsible and 'cruel' to feed your pony carrots and apples and whoa betide if you should let it have a banana!  What????  We were very perplexed.....  apparently feeding such treats is terrible and said equine will be struck down with serious laminitis and hoof pain.... errrmmm we think this person needs a little assistance with finding the equine nutrition books!  The scary thing was that loads of folks agreed...... for the love of mules, what's wrong with a little bit of something you like?  A tiny risk in your day?  To be honest we are all convinced that a carrot has as much sugar as a few blades of grass and unless fed in excess is not a problem.  The sad thing was that this person had taken their wish to care for their horse to the extreme and had lost a little perspective and was now encouraging other humans to do the same thing, their poor horses, life with no carrots - very sad!

Then we come on to the whole barefoot / shod thing.... Oh My Mule there are some feisty opinions out there.... we are very lucky that our feet don't need shoes but to tell people time and again that shoes or no shoes is almost cruel errrmmm we're a bit confused....

Say yes to galloping!

What about all that protective gear too?  FH admits she wears tons of fluorescent (much to the disdain of many of our local snooty brigade) on the road but then she doesn't have a death wish as we have some naughty drivers around.  What we don't get are wrapped in cotton wool with every surface covered with boots of every design possible just in case a thorn should jump out from the hedge, and no it's not because our FH doesn't love us, much as that's not the reason that we hardly ever wear rugs when it's freezing (Dragon gets one on before riding to stop her looking like such a bog monster).  We are even allowed out in the fields (which are very steep) when it is raining and a little slippy, FH closes her eyes when we run around but knows that we need to be free and enjoy life not be cooped up indoors 'just in case' we do something silly.

So that leads us back to the Pocket Sized Labrador... he hurt himself running for his ball.  Not too long ago an acquaintance of FH's told her that she shouldn't throw balls for our canine friend as he might injure himself. Well yes this is true but it might never have happened and guess what?  He was having the bestest time ever running after that naughty ball, it's what he lives for and loves.   And guess what, FH will still be throwing it for him when he's better.  His life would be that bit less fulfilled without it, so that's our aim - to get the labrador back to ball chasing fitness :-)

Say yes to chasing bunnies and balls!

Sometimes it's better in life to take the risk and live with the consequences than to not risk anything and not live life to its fullest, you're a long time dead! 

Here's to bananas, gallops and chasing balls!