Old Orchard Farm Equine Sanctuary

10/10/2025

Does anyone know if Oldfield Hairy Astor can be used for anything? I have so much this year I feel like I should be harvesting it for something.

10/10/2025

Everyone was feeling the cooler weather tonight!

10/03/2025

Grateful for horses! 😘🐴

10/03/2025

Most animals have a built-in safety valve — vomiting — to expel toxins when they’ve eaten something dangerous. Horses don’t.

A horse’s anatomy makes vomiting physically impossible. Their lower esophageal sphincter is so strong, and angled in such a way, that nothing can come back up once it enters the stomach. Combined with the design of their diaphragm and stomach, this creates a one-way system.

That design has a cost. If a horse eats poisonous plants, spoiled feed, or swallows something harmful, it can’t escape the stomach. Instead, toxins remain inside, which is why colic and poisoning are among the most life-threatening emergencies for horses. Immediate veterinary care is often the only chance of survival.

From an evolutionary perspective, horses adapted as grazing animals, constantly nibbling grass in open plains. With fewer risks of sudden poisoning, the need to vomit was minimized over millions of years. But in modern stables and human environments, this ancient system can work against them.

It’s a reminder that even the strongest creatures carry hidden vulnerabilities — nature’s designs are powerful, but never perfect.

**Sources:**
- National Library of Medicine – *Anatomical Reasons Horses Cannot Vomit*
- Smithsonian Magazine – *The Fragile Balance of Horse Digestion*
- BBC Earth – *Why Horses Are at High Risk From Colic*

09/29/2025

Gracie came up with a new hairdo today.

09/29/2025

Our EBay Garage Sale Fundraiser now until Christmas!
I’m going through my stuff and posting items I no longer need. Perhaps I have a treasure you’ve been looking for? I will be adding so please check in often! Thank you ❤️

Follow old-orchard-farms on eBay. Buying, Selling, Collecting on eBay has never been more exciting!

09/29/2025

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080617300059?fbclid=IwY2xjawNHM7NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtJDgPX7LjauX3q9a3ioBEBrkAHaThXlU8gOacEvUyu6lqskW9c51C6jOWCG_aem_gFcqiAykTq_vLHtmJPK78g

Dominance hierarchies in horses primarily influence priority access to limited resources of any kind, resulting in predictable contest outcomes that p…

09/26/2025

How a horsewoman knows she is rich:
I am rich. I have $50 in my checking account and a golden mare in the barn.
I am rich. I have a car that mostly works and enough gas to get to the barn every day this week.

I am rich. I have boxes of pasta and generic sauce in my pantry and enough hay to feed my horse through the winter.
I am rich. I have enough old coats and sweaters to layer up and stay warm while I do barn chores.

I am rich. I vacation by camping with my horses and going to cheer on my horse riding friends at horse shows. Sometimes I even play too, and spend $20 to bring home a fifty cent ribbon that I will treasure more than a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower.
I am rich. I have tools: duct tape and baling twine and the know how to fix just about anything with these tools.

I am rich. I find joy in making my own things, making do, and making right. I have a 30 year old saddle, an over 50 year old body, and the wonder and joy of a 6 year old child learning that a horse can give her wings.
I am rich.

My wealth is not measured in dollar signs but in horsey snorts and nickers. My riches aren't spent on electronics and fancy clothes but are shared with my human and four footed friends.

Next time someone finds out that I have a horse and says, " You must be rich to afford that" I will smile, and agree.

photo credit campcorrals.com Nacho in his mini corral when he goes and visits for Halloween
story credit Caitlin Mendoza (with a few liberties taken by me 🙂

09/23/2025

***Update: This fundraiser has exceeded its goal and is now closed! I cannot thank those of you who helped me enough ❤️🤗 ***

As some of you know, my husband has been out of work for a year and has had 4 surgeries since then. I try to do everything myself, but this week I need to break down and ask for help. I am short 1 Nutrena Fuel Senior and 1 Dumor Alfalfa Pellets for Griffin. Would anyone be willing to or able to help towards the $51.98 for me to buy them? If not that prayers for hubby to heal and me to stay strong would be greatly appreciated. I work a full time job and have sold lots of my things to try to keep going. I just am completely empty this week until payday hits next week. Thank you for reading / listening. My PayPal is [email protected] or I use pickup at the Clover, SC Tractor Supply. Picture of needed items in comments.

09/22/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100072279512202/posts/836422588777051/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

The 5 game-changing strategies that thousands of horse owners are using to become more prepared, confident, and capable to help their horse

09/17/2025

❤🐴

09/13/2025

This is what many people don’t want to deal with…older horses and the little inconveniences, the extra steps it takes to keep them thriving each day. Sitting in the barn, waiting patiently as they finish their warm mash, knowing it takes them longer to eat than it takes you to do all your chores. Watching their joints stiffen, adjusting blankets, mixing supplements, making sure they’re comfortable.
It isn’t always easy. But they gave you their best years, their strength, their spirit, their loyalty. They carried you, trusted you, worked for you. They gave without question.

The least we can do is give back with patience, love, and dignity in their twilight years. Because they deserve nothing less.