This 'n That

[SandyG]

FINALLY! A time to relax with friends and pamper the horses! Today is a Horses Spa Day at Refuge Farms! From 12noon to 3pm we will brush, hug, snuggle, and de-burr our Herd. It is simply time to reconnect with them and brush the mud and the dirt out of them! I'm betting most of the clan will take a nap while we itch their hides and make them beautiful again. And I'm betting the voices in the barn will decline as the humans become relaxed right with the horses. Interesting how things just happen that way - if we only listen, these horses will tell us what it is we need to know.

Join us if you would like - dress in layers, work boots on your feet (no steel toes!), gloves on your hands, and an eagerness to get dirty! We will be in the big barn and ready to receive you. And yes, the horses will be in their places with smiles on their faces!!

Enjoy this day - remember, it is a gift that you were given. So make good use of it!

[SandyG]

Good Day, World!

As in any non-profit, Refuge Farms has a TO DO LIST that is always growing longer, it seems. There are tasks on the list with lead time for completion so you just wait it out . . . . the resources appear and the tasks get crossed off the list. However, there is a current short list of tasks that are weather sensitive and the normal resources are tired from the hard effort spent working on the hospital. So I'm getting nervous and worried.

Does anyone know of a resource of anywhere from 2 to 4? 6? people willing to help with tasks needing completion for this cold that is upon us? Lights to be replaced in the barn's spotlight (cougar thoughts, or course), an antique gate to be moved so the wagon can hold hay square bales (which the horses would be so happy to see!), a washing machine to be moved from the house to the garage . . . tasks like this. We have a Kawasaki Mule to move the washing maching, we have a pickup to move the gate, etc. We have gear to move just need the muscle for the loading - more than one woman can safely do. Any ideas on where to find the resources?

Please email your ideas to [e-mail] or you can call and leave a message. Regardless of how you communicate, Thank you for your help!

Enjoy this day - it is a gift before the cold, wet of fall!!!

[SandyG]

The panic before the first flakes appear. Lawn mowers getting inside, Donna's swing seat inside, barn doors closed and locked for the season, and room made to get the skid loader inside at night with an extension cord ready to plug it in, as well. Need to make a trip and bring some winter hay home for the coming week and arrange our first full delivery. And need to get the rock mover attachment to the welder to get it converted to a large bale mover.

Time to eat? Sleep? What's that???

[SandyG]

As is "normal" at Refuge Farms, the morning feedings and meds and treaments are given with the caretaker singing her songs of praise, worry, stress, concerns, her pleas and never enough times does she sing of pure joy! This morning I sang a song of rejoicing!

You see, in this single week, Refuge Farms helped an Olympic jumping/hunting champion cross and the horse was indeed grateful of the release. It was a small part that Refuge Farms played, but it was experience we were able to impart that helped. And then loud, strong, joyful songs of gratitude and happiness as Wyatt, the horse we posted earlier this week, is on his way to his new, loving, forever home! Again, Refuge Farms played a small part but our connections after rescuing for over 17 years gave us a connection to a woman who I would trust with the Refuge Farms horses. And that, my friends, is a powerful statement!

Plans for transporting Wyatt are in the making and the new owner has explored full blindness, partial blindness, and his overall needs and cares in either situation. And yes, she still stepped up and opened her barns to Wyatt. Fantastic! Wyatt will soon be even more spoiled! I am thrilled at this one!

Some days are physically tough. Some days hurt so much that you aren't sure you can even stand. But some days the joy makes my face hurt from smiling! All in all, I'm glad Refuge Farms is here and very proud to be of service to those who need us!

[SandyG]

I know they have hides. I know they turn their butts to the wind. But I've also watched them the majority of the day and they seem to be hugging the ground to stay warm. They are in packs and there is very little grazing going on. They seem just to be enduring this wind and the rawness of the air.

So, I took care of them.

Gracie and the palomino are in the corral with the big feeder in the shelter. Feeder is full of hay and having just finished their supper, they seem content. They are out of the wind and the water tank is right behind them. The only problem for them is the radio just does not want to stay on! Wish I knew how to fix that! The silence is too great in that little corral building. They need some money to serenade them!

The big kids are in the big barn and they are good. Heck, they are all so big they don't even know it is windy outside!

The other side is for the more fragile horses. I put hay out and closed the barn door for the these most fragile beauties. They were hooked and fed while I placed hay in the center of the barn in our old stock tanks that cannot hold water any longer. When I surveyed the barn before I turned out the lights, every single one was eating and almost dozing while eating. They are tired from fighting the wind. The time out of the wind and with hay in front of them is good. I will sleep better knowing they are calm and comfortable.

Welcome, winter. It hasn't been that long since we last talked . . .

[SandyG]

The Mule arrived yesterday! Feisty, stubborn, close to the ground, and with ears that just will not stop! He has a great interest in the big horses but is actually most motivated by the hay and feed. We'll work on the leading and he's learning about being tied to eat.

But already, when my hand hits the gate, he is right there ready to check out my pockets, anything in my hands, and if I have buckets . . .! Then we go directly to the barn before those buckets get tipped over!

Glad he is here and settling in so well. I am actually pleasantly surprised. And he and Gracie seem to "click". They make such a cute couple! The Mule adds a "cutie pie" flavor to the place but I don't think I would want those hind legs aimed at me, either!

Thanks again to Patti J. for the lead to Sonny K. It was great to catch up with the guy - he was pleasantly surprised to see Gracie, Hollie, Faith, Beauty, Big Boy in the pastures . . . and then he saw Laddee, up there on the wall with The Fourth Promise. We had good conversation like old friends full of stories will have.

A good day yesterday! Have a great day from Sandy and The Herd and The Mule

[SandyG]

Cuter than can be!!! I approach the corral for this morning's meal and the three of them are grazing together!! Yesterday the mule was keeping about a 20 foot gap between himself and Gracie's new boyfriend. So time is good . . . "just give it some time", Andy used to tell me. He was so right!

The Mule is not used to buckets or being tied. So I tie him long enough that he can turn around and move quite a bit but he is still tied. He tests the line and gets frustrated but does not break the lead or the halter! This is very good!

And a bucket? Well, that's just something to kick over and then eat the feed off the ground. So I've gotten a flat rubber tray to feed him in. We'll see if it is the depth of the bucket that he dislikes.

He is as wide as he is tall! And his head, of course, is a bit big for his body. But he is stocky and solid. Reminds me with his appearance, his behaviors, and his energy to be a twin to our little Shortey. Now there was a short, strong, and independent little creature! I think this one is, too . . .

The Mule has some pretty good hunks out of him from being in the holding pen. His feet are good, his eyes are clear, and his nose is dry. He loves the loving he gets and he runs to me when I put my hand on the gates. Heck! What more can a woman ask for?

[SandyG]

Heading out to get some work done before the snow/rain arrives. I'll pull them in so they stay dry and no one gets the shivers or a cold - this is the season of pneumonia!

Got a ton of work done outside yesterday and that allowed me to watch as I moved horses around - Zach is in the big pasture and Ella has OWNED him! I mean, owned him! He cannot move without her on him! I'm wondering if she had a baby at some time and he is small and reminds her of that baby. Ella has never responded to a male horse in this manner . . . trying to figure her out! NewMan and Gracie are working it out. Gracie doesn't change herself an iota - she leaves all the change to others! So NewMan needs to get a drink of water and then come back and find her again. A bit more difficult in the big pasture but so far he has worked it out and is staying well within the fence lines. I'm so very proud of him!!

Back to two herds in two pastures and all in one barn. This is good for them and for me and keeps the electric bill down a bit without an extra tank heater running 24/7.

Refuge Farms is good! Now to move wood into the garage, move some feed into the feed tank, drop the Corn Pro for a trip to Cottage Grove, MN tomorrow and also - some where in there - get some pellets back in the parlour stove. It is chilly in here again!!!

Have a great day, everyone!

[SandyG]

Hello, Everyone!

I'm on the road again today retrieving donated feed for our horses this winter. I call it "manna from heaven". Last June I asked for a sign about what to do with no money, no hay, and no feed . . . and the signs just keep coming!!! "Rescue, rescue, rescue . . . and love, love, love them!"

I have two generous men coming to THE FARM on Saturday morning at 8am to help me prepare the workshop for Gracie. It would be very helpful if a couple people could be at THE FARM this afternoon to help me finish preparing for their arrival and work. What remains is to move a few more boxes to the west garage - and find a place to stack them. THAT's the hard part! The men are coming on Saturday to move the display cases so Gracie can use the garage door to enter and I can get hay and feed in that way.

Will take us about an hour this afternoon. I should be home (with 2 tons of feed!) by 4pm so any time after that would be great, if you are so inclined.

AND THEN ON SUNDAY -

In the rain/snow, we will have our final spa day for the horses. Yes, there are burr's in previously de-burred tails and manes. And using sprays will be minimal given the temps. But we should clean them up we love them!! And it will do US and THEM good to be quiet and loving and gentle and put the perpetual to do list away for a while.

You will need to take the barn as it is - with the rain tonight, they will be in again. There is hay and poop on the floor. Just be prepared in your barn boots and see the beauty of them and not what you are standing on. Or in.

Thanks, everyone! I am grateful. So grateful!

Sandy and The Herd

PS - You MUST see NewMan trotting in the pasture - he is elegant! And the mule - little Zachariah.....you've just gotta see that little face!!! And Helen - you must hug our Helen!

[SandyG]

This morning, I head into the barn unable to clear my head of the suffering we humans inflict upon our own species. Please, Lord, let us be more like the horses. Please.

[SandyG]

Took a read on the horses this morning with the heavy frost, the breeze, and the low teens for temps. This afternoon, I'll gather up light winter blankets for Gracie, PONY!, and Helen.

When I walked into the barn this morning, Gracie was in the hay in the barn, PONY! was in his feeding stall, and Helen was halfin/halfout of her stall. All three of them were in the barn to be out of the winds. The remainder of the herd was out already picking in the pastures.

So, I'll put a blanket on little Gracie so she feels warm enough to sleep outside, which is her preference. PONY! will lick my entire jacket when I throw an insulated cover over his withers, he loves his blankets so much!!! And Helen, with her trach, has a greater sensitivity to cold than previously. I'm thinking the cold air has no time to warm before it hits her chest cavity and so her body temp is probably lowered because of that. No problem - we'll just cover her and help her for the next couple of days over this frigid blast.

It is about time to get the blankets and straps sorted and moved into the barn anyhow . . . might as well do that and then just pull the three I need for tonight's feedings. I would rather have blankets that need washing than cold horses!

Stay warm! We are going to get it in the face this week!!!

PS - I'm also digging out some long underwear and winter gloves for their caretaker, as well!!

[SandyG]

Now you would think I would know this growing up in Duluth, MN. I never did this all the years up on the tundra. Never! I knew better. But today . . . all I can say is OUCH!

All summer and fall, I've had my hands full going to and coming back from the barn - meds, trachs, buckets of soaked beet pulp and hay cubes and so I had to find a way to deal with the keys to the Kawasaki Mule. Heck, I just put the keychain in my mouth. Worked well and I never lost the keys.

And you guessed it! Just like I've done for weeks now, I came back up to the house just now with 6 buckets, a dirty trach, two tubes of meds, and I - from habit and without engaging the brain! - stuck the keychain in my mouth. OUCH! Instantly I knew the keys and clip had stuck to my tongue and lips. Oh, man! I know better! But the smarts temporarily slipped my brain!

So, I screwed up my face and pulled. Skin on the keys and clip and now my tongue and lower lip feel like a bad emery board. Geez . . . . I grew up in the cold. Know the rules. Lost the rules with all the concerns about the cold air and wind chills - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it! And so for now, I have a definite lisp as I talk to the critters. Geez . . . .

[SandyG]

No wind!

Thank you, Lord! There's no wind!!!!

[SandyG]

So the kids had a great time outside today in the drizzle with wandering the pasture, looking for grass blades, and scratching each other. A few actually rolled in the mud but I think they found it a bit chilly 'cause they sure sprang up in a hurry!

But tonight, they are in to dry off and be spoiled so tomorrow, when the cold air blasts in and the winds kick up, they will be dry and find the temp change easier to tolerate.

Also, this is a great dry run for opening deer gun season this weekend. I'm overly cautious and do NOT want to look for a blind horse in the standing corn fields ever again! So the herds will be in with plenty of hay from Friday evening until Sunday morning. And then we will repeat the routine on the closing weekend. Just to be safe and not sorry!

[SandyG]

Yesterday, two wonderful men appeared at THE FARM and within just a short while, the service door to the hospital and the south run-in roll-up door were both installed and operational. HUGE steps forward in the completion of the building!

AND ! ! !

Within the hour, our new hay supplier will arrive with his first semi load of beautiful 750 lb big square bales of hay. By the end of the day, the west end of the building will be packed with square bales ready for feeding to The Herd. Oh, what a relief it is!

On Monday, I retrieved our square bale hay spear attachment for the skidloader. A work of art! In the process of converting an attachment that we really didn't use, we found a great source fo high quality welding of stainless, aluminum (the Exiss), and regular steel. Super to have that business card on the wall!

Earlier today, knowing the hay was coming, I made hay pads in both sides of the Big Barn and we'll place a bale in the barn for the Helen Keller crew and also on The Gelding's Side crew. And that will save a good hour each evening! No more pealing 4' x 4' flakes of hay off of a square bale to fold - kind of! - and then place in the hay feeders on both sides of the barn. Now, they will have hay as they want it and I can feed the special need horses in their feeders. No more worrying that they ate through what I put out. Now, it is just knowing there is hay and water, as promised to each of them, in front of them at all times. For those who have been starved, just seeing the hay calms them and makes the barn a serene place to be.

Big day today! And at the close of the day, we are as ready for winter as we can be. We'll watch the consumption rate of the big squares and when we get down to a two week's supply ahead of us, I'll call our supplier and he will magically appear with another semi load of hay. What a dear man to agree to deliver to us throughout the season! And what good hay it is!

Sometimes when it looks the worst, with time and patience and faith, a new way manifests itself and you are sitting better than you were before. Progress - if only there is the need and the faith. Amen!