Mary is a 26 y/o Standardbred mare who came to Ferrell Hollow Farm almost 3 years ago, with pal Francis. She is a very large gal, built much more like a Warmblood/Draft cross! She has an illegible lip tatoo, so I have not been able to trace her in the STB registry. She most likely had an early career on the trotter track, then transitioned to a life as a carriage horse. Mary worked the streets of NYC, but it is unknown for how many years. She was retired to Pets Alive before she turned 20. Mary does have some... Continue reading

Francis is a 29 y/o black Percheron who spent most of his working life as a NYC carriage horse. He's the smallest of our Percherons at 15.3 hands, and weighs 1,500 lbs. When his carriage career ended, he was placed at Pets Alive, a no kill shelter in NY. That is where I found him almost 3 years ago! Francis is a very special needs horse. He has an old deep digital flexor tendon injury in his right hind leg that has very thick scar tissue. Therefore it is difficult for him to stretch that tendon and place that foot... Continue reading

Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Horse Sanctuary is now a registered Non Profit Corporation with the State of Tennessee! We are currently filing for 501c3 tax exemption status. Our mission is to dedicate permanent sanctuary care to senior horses with special needs that do not have resources available to them otherwise. We are the voice for the underdog. The special ones with health issues, mobility issues, chronic issues, and no longer sound or serviceable. To us they have value, and are worthy of putting time, effort, caring and love into. To give back to them what they have most likely always... Continue reading

The definition of a "special needs horse" may mean different things to different people. I have made it my life's work to help the ones I consider special needs & senior horses. They are no longer sound for work, and have a number of issues or disorders that require careful monitoring and individualized care. Just during my 4 hour morning feeding routine this morning this is what I observed in some our residents: Willie-age 32, has some unusual swelling in his fetlocks Maggie-age 31, has a wavy mouth and having more issues with getting down her soaked meals Big Mack-age... Continue reading

After much thought, research and consideration, we have decided it is our best interest to pursue a Non-Profit charitable status for Ferrell Hollow Farm! We are very excited about this new direction for our senior horses. We will still offer retirement boarding for special needs seniors who have an owner willing to support them, as well as offer permanent sanctuary for senior horses who do not have a special person to provide for their care. We have filed our Charter with the State of TN, and the rigorous process of completing mountains of paperwork has begun! As part of this,... Continue reading

I am very sad to say that today we had to say good-bye to Striker ;( He came to Ferrell Hollow Farm last fall, after a significant stifle injury that left him unsound, but he was able to enjoy his time here, even with his leg issues. This week he sustained another injury to that stifle, from possibly slipping or getting up, and was not able to recover. Striker was an adorable black and white spotted saddle horse who brought a smile to every one he met. Always curious about everything, he loved to follow me around, sniff my pockets,... Continue reading

Ferrell Hollow Farm welcomed Big Mack, a 17.3 hand grey Percheron gelding, today as a new companion for Buddy! Big Mack is estimated to be in his mid 20's and was rescued by his current owner from an abusive & neglectful situation a couple of years ago. He has severe arthritis and he too, needed a companion. So he has come to live at Ferrell Hollow Farm! We look forward to getting to know Big Mack, but we already know that he is a big sweetie :) and that Buddy likes him! Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of... Continue reading

One year ago today a blessing in the form of a huge white horse was bestowed upon me :) Siegfried the jousting horse, came to retire at Ferrell Hollow Farm! I had taken one look at a photo of him (in his winter woolies and up for adoption) and knew that we were destined to be together. I can't say enough good things about this magnificent horse. He and I have developed a deep connection and bond from the beginning. This past year has seen it's challenges with my ACL reconstructive knee surgery and his mysterious health problems. But today... Continue reading

Today we said goodbye to Slim ;( His body was too damaged to fight off the EPM, and he was in heart failure. Slim was a grand old horse, who deserved a loving retirement, and at least I was able to give that to him for the time he was with us. My life is richer for having known you Slim---Buddy and I will miss you!! Cindy Daigre is the owner of Ferrell Hollow Farm Senior Retirement Facility in Middle TN, catering to the special needs senior horse! www.ferrellhollowfarm.net Continue reading

On June 4th, Slim began displaying neurological symptoms and the very next day the vet was out to evaluate him and pull blood for testing. A week later, the test results are in and Slim does have EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis). The testing protocol is the IFAT which detects antibodies to the protozoa Sarcosystic Neurona that invade the central nervous system. Dr. Wright said Slims test read the highest he’s ever seen and that he was a very sick boy. On the Mayhew neurologic scale, Slim is graded at a 4, with 5 being the worst. The drug of choice,... Continue reading

The past month has been a difficult one for Siegfried. Four weeks ago a red, angry looking lesion the size of a quarter broke out on the front of his left pastern. Subsequently he became lame. A vet visit was finally in order when the lesion would not heal and his mobility became poor. The vet had me treat it as an unspecified pastern dermatitis, start antibiotics and pain relievers. It seemed to only get worse from there, as all four pastern and legs broke out in strange looking sores and his mobility was not improving. No one seemed to... Continue reading

I could not do without this Peppermint Scrub after a long hard day on my feet! A perfect gift for your favorite gardener :) http://www.ferrellhollowfarm.net/Store.html Continue reading

Today Eagle turns 28 years old! He came to Ferrell Hollow Farm 3 years ago to retire and has been a joy to care for. He's a tall, lanky QH with a wonderful disposition. He will get to enjoy even more of his tasty snacks today as eating is one of his favorite activities :) Here's hoping to sharing many more days with you big guy! Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine... Continue reading

The conditions here in Middle TN became dry very early this spring. We are well below the average in rainfall, the spring grass has dried up, and the ground is hard and cracked. The horses feet could suffer in these conditions without an appropriate amount of moisture. One way to do just that is to put in "soaking pools" around the horses water troughs. The draft horses especially, drink a tremendous amount of water every day, so it is very logical thinking to add the soaking areas where they will be several times thru out the day. We have just... Continue reading

When a horse does not want to bear weight on a particular foot and has difficulty moving around, an abscess is one of the first things that come to mind. Such is the case with Siegfried today. At breakfast I found him near the fence, not wanting to move. I took his meal to him and it took him quite some time to walk to his shelter, where he likes to be during the day. Hoof trimming was very difficult for him, as really the foot that hurt was the only one he was willing to pick up for any... Continue reading

Relatively mild winter weather, above average temperatures and lack of rainfall this spring are all expected to create a worse than normal fly season in our area. Ferrell Hollow Farm has implemented many natural methods of fly control over the years and continues to research and try new things to keep our senior retirees comfortable. Diatomaceous Earth: This is a fine white powder that can be sprinkled on manure piles to decrease the breeding fly population. Apple Cider Vinegar: Use only the organic, raw vinegar with the "mother". This can be poured over the feed meals or in the water... Continue reading

I have been taking Brewers Yeast daily (Vitamin B1-Thiamin) in hopes of the chiggers and no see ums leaving me alone--so far it is working! I have been feeding B1 to all of the horses as well to make them less attractive to flies this year--let's hope it works! :) Continue reading

Today was the day to do a Clean Trax soak on Mary's front feet. CleanTrax is a deep penetrating hoof cleanser used on tough hoof infections, and does not harm healthy tissue. It is a lengthy process to use this product. The horses feet need to be cleaned first (I pick them out then put the foot in a pan of water, add a couple of drops of dish detergent and scrub the foot). Once the solution is mixed, the horses foot is placed in a reinforced bag, the solution added and the bag sealed to lock in the vapors... Continue reading

I called my specialist vet, Dr. Wright, of TN Equine Hospital, out to take x-rays of Siegfried, Buddy and Slim today. The results we found were surprising to both of us! Siegfried, 23 y/o Percheron, has had a history of chronic laminitis for 20 years, and I thought that is what had been plaguing him lately, despite a strict management for Insulin Resistant horses and some very expensive supplements! X-rays of his front feet show significant high and low ringbone, with his left front foot the worst. X-rays of his hocks showed only minor arthritis. While I has thrilled that... Continue reading

Today one of our long term residents turns 32 years old! Willie arrived at Ferrell Hollow Farm in 2004 and spent most of his life in New York, moving a few times as his owners job changed. I've always said Willie marches to the beat of his own drum, he is his own man, that is for sure. He has thrived here and looks wonderful this spring. As soon as he sheds out completely, he will be as shiny as a copper penny! We look forward to many more years of caring for this special boy! Ferrell Hollow Farm is... Continue reading

For 2 days only, when you order a Calendula Balm, you will receive a FREE sample of our NEW Calendula Cream, soon to be debuted! If you have sensitive skin or require fragrance free products, this one is for you! This offer lasts thru midnight Tuesday April 10th, 2012! All proceeds from the sales help us care for the special needs horses we have adopted and retired at Ferrell Hollow Farm! Our vet is coming this week for x-rays of 3 of the drafts feet and hocks, and to assess our mare with hoof canker. Ferrell Hollow Farm’s Calendula Balm... Continue reading

One of our special ladies turns another year older today! Maggie is 31 years old today :) She sure looks fantastic for her age, and the fact she can no longer eat hay doesn't she! We hope to celebrate many more years with her :) Maggie is one of the senior residents at Ferrell Hollow Farm's Retirement Farm in Middle TN! www.ferrellhollowfarm.net Continue reading

Routine dental check ups are a very important part of horse ownership. Like anything else, it is less costly and better for the horse if preventative measures are taken yearly, rather than waiting until a problem arises! Horses at Ferrell Hollow Farm are seen a minimum of once a year for dental check ups. I am happy to say that my dentist completely understands my hesitation of using any form of sedation on the seniors and none of them needed any!! That is usually the case, but I was unsure of our new drafts :) Siegfried was a complete gentleman... Continue reading

Saturday March 17, 2012 One woman, 10 horses, 8 cats, 2 dogs and 2 goats. It just took 2.5 hours to care for all of them. So? The horses are spread over 6 pasture/paddock locations. The cats are in 4 different areas. Every horse receives a bucket meal with necessary supplements, and then enough hay until the evening meal comes around. Poop is scooped or sprinkled with DE to deter breeding flies. Nets and buckets are prepared for the next meal. Everyone is checked over. Yesterday we had a colicky horse related to ulcers. This morning that is better. Whew!... Continue reading

Lavender Lavender is grown mainly for the production of essential oil of lavender. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile oils that can be extracted from aromatic plants. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in a water-and-steam distillation process to extract the oil. It is best to use organically grown plants, free from chemicals. How to Grow Lavender Lavenders flourish best in dry, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun. All types need little or no fertilizer and good air circulation. Using the Dried Flowers Dried and sealed in pouches, lavender flowers can be placed among... Continue reading