Ten Oaks Farm

2009-11-16T05:33:00.001-08:00

Sadly, I have to report that Ten Oaks Farm is closing as of December 19th, 2009. It is a beautiful farm and we will all miss it. I really appreciate that I was allowed to freely photograph there because there was always a gorgeous backdrop for the horses. For those who have been following the story of Snickers, updates will be continued from the blog for his new home at F & S (Father and Son) Farms in Lenoir City.

Home Again, Home Again

2009-07-30T16:41:00.000-07:00

Dr. Cindy Backus's report on Snickers as written on his discharge papers and with added notes & photos of Snicker's homecoming from Tammy Shipley:

Physical Exam Findings: Heart & lungs auscult noemally.Pre-anesthetic blood work was normal. Effusion LH digital sheath. Ultrasound demonstrated fibrous adhesions within the sheath and marked thickening of the plantar annular ligament ( 7mm thick )

Surgery:

Tenoscopic evaluation of the LH digital sheath was carried out. Multiple adhesions were debrided. Bruising of the superficial flexor tendon was evident. The deep digital flexor tendon was normal throughout its entirety. The plantarannular ligament was transected under video guidance. The sheath was lavaged and injected with sodium hyaluronate prior to closing.

Exercise Instructions: Stall confine for 2 weeks. Hand-walk for 2 weeks ( 20-30 minutes twice daily ). Begin exercise under tack in 4-6 weeks.

Cindy came & changed his bandage on Tues.7/28. He has to have the bandage changed every 3 to 4 days. He gets his stiches out next wed.Aug.5th. He has to stay bandaged for the first 30 days. Cindy would like to re-ultrasound the flexor tendons in 6 months.

We may possibly have some photos of the actual surgery to post soon.

2009-07-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin Boling has a new lesson horse and will now be giving lessons year round.

Snickers Is Home!!!

2009-07-27T17:04:00.003-07:00

Hooray! I've heard he's doing well and I'll post details and hopefully photos later:)

The Day After

2009-07-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos that Tammy took this afternoon of Snickers, the day after his surgery. He looks great!

Will Be Posting an Update

2009-07-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Dr. Cindy Backus will be sending an update on Snickers later today and photos of the surgery. I've added a link to Country Side Veterinary's website on the side bar, too. When I receive Dr. Backus's article, I will copy and paste it here so be looking for it. ~Sande

2009-07-22T10:13:00.001-07:00

Snicker's surgery is today. I will keep you all posted on his progress.
This from Tammy a few minutes ago and I'm hoping to have an update from Dr. Backus to post later today:

Snickers just got out of surgery!! Yeah.The vet said he did great & is already up.We should get to pick him up on Monday,she wants to go ahead & keep him over the weekend but she says he should make a full recovery.Thanks to everyone that has been asking about him, they really become part of the family.

Benefit for Snickers~Saturday the 18th

2009-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Snickers, the "man" of the hour!

Photos from the top (L - R):

1)Tammy Shipley and Vickie Switzer are creating some luscious smelling concessions.

2)Edwin, Merritt and Ali seem to be having as much fun as work at the trailer wash.

3)Kim Howard and Buster give a first ride to a young horse fan:)

4)Cherie Oswald, Don Estock and Kaitlin Boling greeting customers at the bake sale.

5)Chris Shipley takes time out for a buggy ride with the amazing Catherine Albert. She is just 13 and she trains and shows these minis!

6)Catherine has also taught the minis a few other tricks! This little mare is her favorite.

7) Kaitlin standing in front of the signs that show all of the fun, goodies and services available.

8) Snickers greets some new fans! He seemed to know that he was the star of this show!

You can see these photos larger in my facebook album/click here.

Fund Raiser for Snickers

2009-07-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Kaitlin Boling is sponsoring a fund raiser for Snickers on Saturday, July 18th at Ten Oaks Farm.

The purpose of this event is to raise $2,000 for Snicker's tendon surgery. Snickers is a Quarter horse that was rescued by Chris & Tammy Shipley just before he was to be put down. He is on the road to recovery but needs surgery to complete his rehabilitation. Anything exeeding the $2,000 needed for the surgery will be donated to Horse Haven of Tennessee. Activities will include a car, horse, & trailer wash, Pony rides, bake sale, raffle ect.

Event: Ten Oaks Farm Fundraiser for Snickers
What: Fundraiser
Host: Ten Oaks Farm
Start Time: Saturday, July 18 at 10:00am
End Time: Saturday, July 18 at 6:00pm
Where: Ten Oaks Farm

2009-07-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

I've just added a video bar to the side panel. It will be permanent and you can view videos without leaving the page.

Exciting Snickers News

2009-07-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

I promise photos soon but photos or not, I had to share this news as soon as possible with everyone. If you've been following Snicker's story for the last few months, you know how precarious his fate was in the beginning. When the Cindy, his Vet, first saw his damaged ankle, she really felt that he would eventually have to be put down but she agreed to let Chris have a few months to try to rehabilitate him. Chris has worked with the horse diligently; he soaked and wrapped the leg daily. Snickers responded so well to Chris's care. Within a few weeks, there was tremendous improvement. Finally, Snickers was allowed to have a bit of freedom for the first time in months. Chris set up a small round pen outside the barn for him move about in. And boy did he move! He ran and kicked as much as was possible in that small space. He was over joyed to be outside. Chris gradually increased the size of the enclosure until Cindy agreed that he was ready to be turned out into the large paddock beside the barn. She was so encouraged by the horse's continued and almost miraculous improvement that she said that she thought Chris would be able to ride him in about three months.

Country Side Veterinary has just gotten two new doctors, both bone and ligament specialists. They came with Cindy to the barn yesterday and gave Snickers a thorough examination. When they looked at the ultra sounds, they were not only astounded by the improvement but one of them told Chris that, with a simple surgery, Snickers will be 100% sound in a month's time!! The new doctor is still in the process of moving to East Tennessee but as soon as he is settled in to his new home, he will perform the surgery. Then, after a month's stall rest, Snickers will be a new horse, completely without pain and swelling for the first time in months!!

New Guest on the Farm

2009-06-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

His name is Buster and he belongs to Victoria Howard. Victoria is away competing at the Tennessee State Finals in Shelbyville this week...Whoo-Ray!! for Victoria and good luck, although I doubt she will need it since Victoria is an excellent rider who collects ribbons and trophies on a regular basis. While Victoria, her mom( Kim who is pictured above with Buster)and Belle her horse are away, Buster is staying at Ten Oaks. There is quite a story to Buster. Kim took Victoria to her first horse auction. Kim had been reluctant to do this since she knew of the abuse and cruelty which can be seen there. Victoria saw Buster there and evidently immediately fell in love because she took her savings and bought him. Buster had suffered through extreme abuse and neglect himself. He'd seen his son kicked to death right next to him, he'd been turned out at Big South Fork and been on his own for about a year. He was in dire need of care and compassion and Victoria and Kim have given that to him. Kim says that it's taken numerous wormings, two farrier visits and a lot of love but Buster is bouncing back. In Kim's own words, "He's quiet, dead broke, and absolutely beautiful! " Kim says that her grandchildren, Ava and Jesse, ride him bareback and with only a halter. Kim says that she's so grateful that Chris is going to look after Buster while they're away. Kaitlin is planning on using him for lessons. I hope I can get up to the barn and meet him, too.

A quick Snicker's update. Chris no longer has to wrap his leg every day, he continues to heal and he is in the large paddock. Chris thinks that it won't be much longer before Dr. Backus allows him to ride Snickers. I will be there to take photos of this event and will post them on this post immediately so be on the look out for that.

Great Snickers News!!

2009-06-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Snickers has been moved from the small round pen to that huge paddock beside the barn! Cindy, the Vet, is very pleased with his progress and this is a big move and sign of increased progress in his full recovery. Keeping him company in that large paddock is Bam-Bam, Chris's new miniature horse, who will be lesson horse for Kaitlin's smallest students this summer. Snickers and Bam-Bam have already established their "pecking order" and are quickly becoming best buddies.

Photos from Kentucky:

2009-05-25T10:54:00.001-07:00

On this slide show(also viewable on youtube): the above photos and more from May Daze 2009 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Music on the video is Into My Heart by the beautiful and amazingly talented, Nori Bucci. Her music is available on i-tunes, cd baby and other purveyors of fine music.

ALSO SEE THE POST BELOW FROM EARLIER IN MAY. I'VE ADDED SOME PHOTOS TAKEN BY JOHN FILDES FROM A SCHOOLING DAY AT THE KENTUCKY HORSE PARK WHICH WAS HELD ON MAY 10TH. GREAT SHOTS & FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE GIRLS ALL HAD A GREAT TIME AND LEARNED A LOT.

LOTS OF BARN NEWS!

2009-05-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

May 10th Schooling Day at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington

Below: Kiera Patanella on Hussler, Abby Jones on Mary, & Kaitlin Boling on Iris

The photos above were taken by John Fildes during a schooling day at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky on May 10th. Trainer, Jessica Fildes took three students to school, Kiera Patanella, Abby Jones and Kaitlin Boling.

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ABOVE: THE BARN'S NEWEST RESIDENT, BAM BAM, A MINIATURE HORSE

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EDWIN & SNICKERS...AS YOU CAN SEE SNICKERS IS MUCH IMPROVED.

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The video below contains stills of Kaitlin Boling and Iris as they schooled at River Glen Equestrian Park yesterday in preparation for their first Eventing competition together. The Event is being held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington this weekend.

Also in this video are some shots of Jessica Fieldes, trainer extraordinaire, and her sweet and lovely little girl, Annie. There is also a little clip dedicated to Kaitlin's Jack Russel Terrier, Lucky, because it was her birthday. :)

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Finally a few self-kudos for me and Ten Oaks Farm resident, Cash (the boy has a longer papered name but I can't remember it--forgive me Julie:) I entered four of my photos into the Equestrian Ideal in Photography competition a few months ago. This is a very prestigious international competition and I was very pleased to discover that all four of my photos had placed in the top ten of their catagories. I was even more pleased when I discovered last week that one of those images, an art piece of Cash entitled, Once In A Dream, had won first place! Congratulations to the beautiful Cash...I couldn't have done it without you pal!:)

You can see this image and all of the photos I entered on my blog, For Love of a Gray Horse.

Ok, YouTube yanked the audio on the video above. So you can't see it there with the music any longer. Here is the Daily Motion link where the video is also viewable larger (with music but they messed up the tracks a bit and it doesn't "fit" like it did before). Be certain to click HQ so that you get the best quality image.

Ten Oaks' News and Updates for May

2009-05-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry that there are no photos to accompany this update. I took my camera with me on my visit to Ten Oaks yesterday but had a few technical problems...turned out to be operator problems of course, lol. I will add photos next week hopefully...if this blasted rain ever stops!

First, for all of you who have asked about Snickers, no need to be concerned because he continues to improve. Dale Colis, who is both Ten Oaks's farrier and mine as well, commented to me a little over a week ago that he was so amazed by Snickers's progress and that, if he hadn't already known about the horse's injuries, he would have thought that there wasn't a thing wrong with him as Chris led him down the center aisle of the barn. The limp is now almost imperceptible. Chris says that the area around the injury is spongey now which Cindy, the vet, says is a good thing, it shows that the shots are working.

There is a new resident at Ten Oaks as of Monday, a sweet and cute as a button miniature horse which is being called Bam Bam...although there is still some argument about the name:). I'm sure that Chris would love for you to stop in and meet the new mini and Snickers. He will give you a tour of the great facilities at Ten Oaks as well. Pasture board is full but there is still Full Board available at the barn. So, if you're interested or just want to meet and visit with the great horses and people there, drop by.

The new mini will be one of the new "assistant instructors" at the barn for Kaitlin Boling who will be giving beginner lessons for young riders this summer. Call the barn for information and to sign up for lessons. Classes are filling quickly so jump in while you can--your kids will love your for it and what a wonderful way to spend a summer.

Photos will be added soon~sorry for the delay:)

Snickers Update for April 20th

2009-04-20T05:15:00.000-07:00

The improvement in Snickers's condition last Thursday(April 16th) was amazing. I'd photographed Snickers the previous week and he still had a limp. But, as Chris led him out of the barn on Thursday afternoon, the limp was so imperceptible even when he was walking on concrete, you wouldn't have noticed it if you didn't already know it was there.

Cindy, the vet, had given Chris permission to turn Snickers out in a small round pen for an hour or so a day. She was so impressed by the improvement that she said that in the next month Snickers should be able to go into the pasture with the other horses and possibly be ready for some light riding within the next 5 to6 weeks .

I was so surprised when I saw how Snickers was behaving in the round pen. From the moment Chris released him, he was running around and leaping and kicking out as if he'd never had an injury. Perhaps he enjoyed himself a bit too much because Friday morning, the leg was swollen and hot again. Chris resumed the epsom salt/warm water baths and the swelling seemed to have subsided some by yesterday. Chris has done so much for this horse and I'm sure that he will help him to quickly recover from this set back. But horses are like children, it is impossible to keep them from running and playing or to curb their enthusiasm. I haven't been able to reach Chris today for an update but I will post any news as soon as I get it.

UPDATE: Just talked to Chris and it is good news this morning!! Snickers is putting all of his weight back on the injured foot and all of the swelling appears to be gone. Yeh!!!

Snickers Update for April 7th

2009-04-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

Dr. Cindy S. Backus, DVM, gave Snickers his first injection yesterday. As you can see in the second photo, the leg looks much better than it did when Snickers first arrived at Ten Oaks. Cindy said that she could tell that he's made progress as well when she saw Edwin leading him down the hallway of the barn. She explained to me the purpose of the injections and I hope that I can correctly relay that information. The injured tendons have tears or holes in them. The fact that the horse was left standing, untreated in a stall for two weeks before Chris rescued him, means that this is an old injury and so more difficult to treat. The problem is actually caused by the very material that helps the tendon to heal, fibrin. Fibrin is an insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during the clotting of blood. The two tendon sheaths are made to move smoothly against each other but when the fibrin forms it creates a strong mesh that hinders that movement. The injections that Cindy is giving Snickers will act as a lubricant between the tendons and also help to prevent more fibrin build up. She recommended that Chris keep up his treatment of the injury with the epsom salt baths and very light daily exercise on lead. She also ended her visit by floating Snicker's teeth. She had previously refused to do any procedure that wasn't absolutely necessary so that must mean that she has renewed hope for this horse. The last photo shows her helping Edwin lead Snickers back to his stall since he was still drowsy from the anesthesia.

Latest News on Snickers

2009-04-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

As I posted earlier, the Vet, Cindy Baucus, visited the barn this past Thursday. It was exactly a week since Snicker's arrival at Ten Oaks. Cindy stopped by to examine another horse but as soon as she'd finished, she asked to see "Chris's project-aka, Snickers." Chris told me that when she saw the progress that Snicker's had made thanks to Chris's attention and care, she got tears in her eyes. She said that she really hadn't given this horse much of chance at either recovery or survival but now, she thought that he had a lot of hope. I've added some photos here that I took this morning that I hope will illustrate the tremendous progress that this horse has made in just a week. As you can tell in the photos, he is putting weight on the foot and he barely limps now especially when he's in the soft grass. There are so many people who are rooting for this horse and for his making a full recovery. I think all those good thoughts are helping so keep them coming and I'll keep you posted.

Meet Lakota, Graver and Belle

2009-04-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

Three new borders arrived at Ten Oaks this week. Lakota is a Kentucky Spotted Saddle Horse that belongs to (and owns the heart of :) Leeann Muecke Samples. Graver and Belle (pictured together because they usually are:) belong to Kim Howard and her daughter Victoria. Graver is an off track Thoroughbred that Kim is retraining and Belle has won many awards and honors in Western Pleasure and Barrel Racing for Victoria. Kim will be teaching Barrel Racing and Pole Bending at Ten Oaks. Anyone who is interested in taking classes with her should contact Chris.

Hopeful News for Snickers

2009-03-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

The news is at least hopeful for Snickers. The vet called Chris today and said that there appears to be an old fracture in the leg. From what I understand, the fracture itself seems to be healing well and is not of as much concern as the damage to the tendon. She says that there is a possibility that the horse can be brought through this and made sound again. She is especially encouraged by the progress Chris has made in his efforts. Chris has been soaking the leg in warm, Epson salt filled water for at least an hour a day. Snickers actually seems to enjoy this and stands patiently for the entire hour. All of the swelling has gone down and the horse is actually shifting his weight from his good leg and putting weight fully on the injured hoof for the first time. This seems like remarkable progress in just two days time to me. The photo shown here was taken the day Snickers arrived at the barn. Next week farrier, Dale Collis, will wedge both back feet and then Cindy, the vet, will begin injections that will hopefully help to grow new tissue and strengthen both the bone and tendon. Chris asked Cindy to give him at least two months to rehabilitate Snickers before making a decisive decision about his fate. He is very willing to do everything that he has to to try and save this wonderful horse that he and so many have fallen in love with. I will take photos next week and post them here. I hope that I will be able to show you some remarkable progress. Please, keep up the good thoughts!

Snickers

2009-03-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

Chris Shipley, Ten Oaks Barn manager, rescued a horse from certain death today and brought it to Ten Oaks for rehabilitation. The horse had a non-life threatening injury from which he should heal with a little care and stall rest but the owners had decided that they couldn't be bothered with either the time or expense and they were planning on putting the horse down later this week. This morning, Chris received a frantic call from Ten Oaks boarder, Julie, describing the situation. After a quick discussion with both Ten Oaks owner, Vickie Boling, and the lady who is currently keeping the horse, Chris hooked up the trailer and headed to an area above Knoxville to rescue Snickers. Chris is so impressed with him. He says that he is not only beautiful but gentle and calm. He will be rehabbing at Ten Oaks and receiving the care and love that he needs over the next few months. I will be chronicling his progress here and keeping a photographic record of their journey together.

Quick note after seeing Snickers (dark on the outside and sweet on the inside just like the candy:) for myself...every one has fallen in love with this horse! He's a doll. You can see how he responds to Julie's little girl. And Edwin and Chris obviously are already crazy about him. People have already been asking if they can buy him as soon as he's well. I know it doesn't happen very often but this time the horse was very lucky.

Olaf

2009-03-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Olaf is a gorgeous Friesian who belongs to Ten Oaks Farm owner, Vickie Boling(that's him in the blog title as well). Vickie recently sent Olaf to trainer, Brandy McDonnell-Smith so that he could be taught to drive. Three weeks later and there are some beautiful results as you can see. That is barn manager, Chris Shipley, driving Olaf in the photo above and below is a little slide show video that I put together on March 24th at Brandy's Barn, Blue Point Stables, in Kingston, Tennessee. It looks as if Olaf will be coming home to Ten Oaks soon and don't be surprised if he and Chris pass you on the roads around Lenoir City!:)