Fox Tales, May, 2021

THANK YOU!!!

 

Yes, thank you for your continuing water conservation efforts.  This past winter's rainfall was 6 inches, about half what we normally get.

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THE COVID PANDEMIC IS STILL WITH US!

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Things are looking better, and San Diego recently downgraded the alert level to Orange, but we will continue to follow existing basic masking, hygiene and social distancing guidelines until state authorities tell us otherwise.

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At the moment, summer horseshows are on hold.  We will alert everyone as soon as we have more information.

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For information on summer camps please see our Summer Camps page.

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SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!

 

We’ve enjoyed a truly remarkable Spring, with drizzling rain and cool temperatures and lots of wildflowers on the trails.

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Summers often begin with May Gray and June Gloom, but afterwards they are usually hot, dry, and dusty.  The horses may be a little lazy.  HFF is lucky to be on a mountain with cool breezes directly from the ocean, which keeps our temperatures bearable.

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Also, fire season is almost here.  We will be updating our emergency call list and sending it out ASAP.

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Clothing:

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Hotter weather means thinking about clothes, for both you and your horse.  For riders, lightweight breathable clothing is recommended, and protection from the sun is a MUST.  For horses, fly masks and other protection will make them a lot happier.

 

Water:

 

During hot spells, the horses will need to drink more, and we need to make sure they do.  Clean fresh water and salt blocks will help.  Our corral and turnout automatic waterers insure that a thirsty horse gets plenty of cool, fresh, clean water from the underground system.  Check and clean waterers daily.  Some horses may need water buckets too, but remember that buckets need regular cleaning, or the water in them will be warm, stale, dirty, and full of mosquito larvae.  The threat of West Nile Virus is real!

 

Riders need lots of water, too.  Please bring your re-usable bottles of cool water with you. Our refrigerator in the office is for your use.

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Watch Out! 

 

There are rattlesnakes, black racers, garter and gopher snakes out and about.  They’re hunting mice and other small rodents and doing their part in the ecosystem, controlling the small animal population.  Let’s try to live with the snakes and not bother them.

 

If you see a snake at HFF, please let the staff, and everyone else, know immediately.  We will see what kind of snake it is and warn people to keep away, if necessary.  General snake rules include: Don't let little children wander unattended.  Don’t step or put your hands where you cannot see.  Don’t get into wood, rocks, or brush (or jumps!) without checking for snakes first.  Wear good shoes and long pants.  Don’t tease, poke, goad, or provoke the wildlife!  Most bites occur when a person tries to kill or move a rattler.

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Dogs are particularly susceptible to snakebite, as we learned with our own dog Mattie.  

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Horse Show Season

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TBD

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Summer Activities

 

TBD