This 'n That

[SandyG]

WHEW!

Moving six round bales should not take 3 hours and I should not be drenched and the yard should not be all torn up from hoof prints and the skid loader should not be coated in mud! But I am and they are!

The routine is this: I need to pick up a bale and then drive to the gates. Then shut the skid loader off and climb out to open the gates. Then climb back in and move forward. Then shut the skid loader off and climb out to close the gates. Then climb back in and drop the round bale.

Well, it seems that little Miss Jeri-Ann is very intelligent. She sees the skid loader go down the driveway and she gets ready. She sees me pick up a bale and she moves closer. She sees me climb out of the skid loader and she starts to lean. BUT she doesn't begin moving her feet until I am back in the skid loader and moving forward to pass through the gates!

THEN she knows she has time and so she trots past me and takes the entire Posse with her! Out to the yard they go! Over to the west lawn they go! Some go into the old barn to snoop around! Some go up by Jerry, the Roan Horse to eat that grass! Some stay closer to the fence line to talk with Miss April and Josephina!

I am frantic and trying to figure out how in the world to entice just one of them to come back east! How to get them to leave that fresh grass and come with me. I fill a bucket with a bit of feed and find Spirit. She is always (read that as always! ) hungry for feed and sure enough, she leaves the pack to follow me with the feed bucket.

THEN the only challenge is to keep Spirit with me and get to the gates before the rest of the Posse notices that she has feed and overtakes us! As soon as we hit the gates I threw the bucket and ran to a fence post. Hugging it, I felt the ground vibrate as Babee Joy and Jeri-Ann and Beauty went flying by! Unit came right behind them and Handsome was bringing up the rear. I closed those gates so fast it made your head spin!

So, yup. Moving six bales took 3 hours. And I am drenched. The skid loader is caked in mud. And the yard is full of hoof prints. But the kids are safely in their pasture again. Munching on those round bales and laughing over how funny that little woman looked as she hugged the fence post!

[SandyG]

This is the kind of weather that gives horses pneumonia. PONY! was standing in the barn this morning soaked to the skin and every inch of him was shivering. Appaloosa Mare came in, likewise soaked, but only her flanks were shivering. Gracie about ran into the barn and she is standing in the corner and as solid as cement. That little girl is NOT heading back outside!

Dudely is in his box stall and Miss Bette is standing in out of the rain so that means Cole will take all the time he needs to eat his breakfast.

The healthy and younger ones are outside munching on hay or picking fresh grass as it tries to sprout. I would hate to be a blade of grass in this pasture!

So, I'll put PONcie! and App Mare in the end stall with hay and water and leave Dude in his box stall. No need to push them outside in this cold rain and wind.

But tomorrow....the promise of sun tomorrow!!!!!

Reminder: Keep emailing me your information for cheesecake sales - You can sell through November 15th - and that is only 5 weeks away, people!!!!

[SandyG]

Today is a big day. Innocently, I will move a few horses between pastures trying to minimize the excitement. It is time to shift some of the herds to get ready for the winter season fast approaching. So maybe there will be some mud in the air today. We'll see!

And today, Dude will be turned out into a pasture. Oh, he will be so happy for that! We'll see how his new pasture mates respond to his head tossing and snorting....

My eyes hurt. There is something in the sky making me squint. Wonder what it is. Could it be the sun??

[SandyG]

Well, most everyone is moved around and the worst, I believe, is over. I am amazed and in awe of these horses. They form such bonds! Unit is glued to the fenceline trying to reach her Spirit and Jeri-Ann. Handsome is already "the catch to be caught" by Miss April! Oh, she does love her big geldings!

Dude was all in control when Spirit and Jeri-Ann were in "his" pasture. But then Babee Joy showed up and little Dude was literally standing in the corner wondering what that elephant was doing in his world!

Ole' Man Cole, Lanna, Josephina, and Miss Bette were a little quartet. Just staying close and giving each other comfort in the time of change. Funny how when they get in a new pasture, they stand and longingly look at the old pasture...

By this morning, most everyone is busy eating. Only Unit is still by the fence trying to find the hole that will let her back to her pals. I'm hoping she finds comfort in Blaise today when I put Blaise and Laddee over with her.

And oh yeah, BBBBRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SandyG]

Interesting......

It is 2pm. Twenty-four hours since the "relocation" took place. Dudley is still living up on the hill behind the old barn. But guess who is meandering over by him...grazing....leaving the others to fend for themselves?

It's our big girl, Beauty. What a girl!

[SandyG]

Interesting morning, this one was!

Heard a PING! about 4:30am and sure enough - it was a fence line traveling in the sky! A foot got caught in a bottom wire and thank heavens the wire gave way.

So, with a flashlight and Unit in my back pocket supervising my every move, I found the wire and repaired the fence. And this, mind you, after I had disconnected the electric fencer! Good thing I remembered this time!

Then, since I was out anyhow, I worked on getting Dude into a box stall for feed and Beauty into the stall next to him. Once that was done, I hooked up Babee Joy, Jeri-Ann, and Spirit for a touch of feed. It is good to have them remember how to stand quietly while they are tied. Today, however, we managed to get them tied. The standing part we'll work on. And the quietly part we will work on after that!

[SandyG]

Ice on the stock tanks, empty bird feeders, winter gloves, winter jacket.... and it is October 10th! Man O' Pete! There's a windchill out there!

Everyone was fed this morning with the exception of Dude. He likes this new-found freedom and didn't trust me enough to let me put a rope over his neck. So he is standing in the pasture wondering when he will eat his feed...sorry, Dudely! There's a reward for compliance. It is called feed.

Had to manually walk Unit and Handsome from the fence line. Those two are like a part of the body of the others. This is a process that must be completed, although it is tough to watch.

I'm in the house now and going to fix myself a cup of hot chai!!!

[SandyG]

TA-DAH!!!!!

In 2 hours flat, I have all of them - all 17 of them! - hooked and eating. Two days ago it took 3 hours. Yesterday, I gave it 3 hours and finally gave up on the herd in the old barn. This morning, however, Dude was a bit hungry and more willing to have me throw a rope over his neck and lead him into his box stall.

AND this morning, we are all more interested in our feed. No more prancing and tossing our heads and talking and causing a scene. Nope. Right to the business of eating.

AND Dude has a girlfriend. Someone who follows him everywhere. Someone who thinks he is the most handsome horse she has ever seen! None other than Spirit! Good for both of them! Dude wil learn how to socialize and Spirit will become a mare....funny how things work out in time......

[Shar]

Not sure if your horses are... but mine sure are! Romeo is happy as ever since we got two new mares out there (just helping someone sell them) and he's really enjoying the fact that he's the only gelding (as long as none of the girls are in heat! Then he just runs away!!) But he found a new friend in a 2 year old mare that came a couple days ago (she can jump over things just like he can and they both jumped over some down fallen trees on their way down the hill this morning!!)... All of them were running up and down the hill like they were wild horses this morning when all the snow was coming down... I am not excited about the snow... but they sure were. My sweet baby Titan didn't know what to do with all this fluffy white stuff! What would people do without horses to add such enjoyment in life?!?

[SandyG]

The vitality of youth, Shar! The vitality of youth!

Today is one packed full day - Isaac is here for trimmings today and tonight is a Volunteer Walk-Thru. I may still be in my barn clothes for the walk-thru, people! Don't be surprised if I am!

Isaac and I, somehow, have gotten a little older. Trimming 64 feet in one day is a bit much for us now. So we are breaking that task into two days this time. And I am more relaxed already. Usually he is pulling in by 7am and we work steadily - STEADY! - until 5 or 6pm when the last foot drops. But today, we will pace ourselves and quit when our backs begin to scream. Then tomorrow we will finish up the few that will be left and he will head home.

How fortunate we are to have Isaac here! He is one of the best! And I marvel at his cares. The last hoof gets the same quality care as the very first hoof. He is very good at his skill.

Wish us luck! And maybe a bit of sunshine in this cold!!!

[SandyG]

Great to have you, Carolyn! And does that last statement imply that you just received your tetanus shot??? If so, how's the arm?

Isaac and I kept our heads down all day today and took care of most of the "big horses" today. Great progress made today!!!!

Beauty was her new, remarkable self. So proud and so trusting! I cannot help but just swell up with pride at her!

Handsome did well and we trimmed Unit right next to him as he stood in the shoeing bed. Unit actually fell asleep in my arms for most of her trimming.

Jeri-Ann has shining new shoes on all four of her enormous feet. She did so well! I was concerned that when Isaac began the hammering that she would become upset. But that little girl simply turned her head to look at what was happening. She is truly the example of what kindness can do!

And the big news: Babee Joy had her feet trimmed for the first time in her life without any medications! She is much like Beauty - so proud and so in control! She is one remarkable horse!

So, I am back out to the barns to unhook and settle everyone for the night. Then I'm closing my eyes so we can finish up everyone tomorrow and get Isaac on his way home. G'nite!

[SandyG]

A very long day - I have just now hooked everyone for supper. So I thought I would take the time to tell of our successes today.

Isaac is such a talented and heartfelt man. He took his time with Laddee today and she understood. After fighting on her first foot, Isaac went to her head and explained that we weren't punishing her. Instead, we were trying to help her. She listened and seemed to believe him. The remaining three feet were very quiet. In fact, she was lying in the straps of the bed most of the time. Remarkable.

Ole' Man Cole used the shoeing bed this time for his hind feet. It makes it much easier on him given his totally worn out ankles. And it is easier on Isaac. Again, no fuss. Just patience.

All in all, it was a safe and productive two days wtih Isaac and Betty. This process of trimming 18 horses over a two day span is wonderful. Both of us were commenting on how much nicer it was and how easy it was to walk back from the barn! Usually, we are dragging our feet! Literally!

Much progress. It is good to see the horses respond. All is well.

[SandyG]

For the first time since last Sunday morning, it is NOT snowing at 7am at Refuge Farms! Yeah!!!

Need the pastures to dry up a bit so I can move some round bales out to the kids - Sunday, I'm thinking.....we'll see if the snow holds off that long!

Laddee seems to have found her place on the Gelding's Side - she loves Unit (of course!) and hangs around Lanna. Hasn't found Handsome yet as he is still pining over his women in the next pasture over the fence line. That man is devoted. Now if he only could be a human....

Diane S. way up North where I know you have snow on the ground - Happy Birthday!!! The four rescues from Iron County are all thriving! Rosie is in horse play camp every day - she has a cushy life! Mr. Gelding is thriving with Shar! StudMan is showing in halter and cart classes! And Ashely is with her new pasture mate and all is happy there, too! Have a grand day, Mother of the Rescues!!!

[SandyG]

Glorious day today. By noon, the sunshine was warm and everybody was sleeping in the sun. Most of the kids were on the ground and of course, I could hear Lanna snoring up in the barn!

Tons of outdoor stuff done today. Good to work outside rather than just sitting at a desk and keying, printing, phoning....Good to work those muscles again!

A grand visitor was here this morning and we spent the time to touch every horse. It was as beneficial for me as for Sherri. She is a big hearted woman with talent! We've talked over email for months now, but today we finally met!

[SandyG]

What a day yesterday! The weather was glorious and the Japanese beetles were in the air in swarms! Whoever imported those things.....

Tomorrow is a big day - Colleen B. and I go over to the printers and review the proof of the 2010 Refuge Farms Calendar. It is truly a work of art and a work of the heart. We have a bit of a different style this year and I'm hoping it helps to reinforce the message of our Missions.

I am also taping an interview with Beth Kidd at WLTE tomorrow afternoon. Doc will be calling in and the three of us will talk and then Beth will air the program for the next two Saturday mornings on her program, "Northern Lights". I'll keep you posted on dates and times.

Funny thing - Beth interviewed Doc in 2005 when his book was first published! Hah! She already knows the man and is most excited at meeting him! Just like the invitation to the Gala says, meet old friends and make new friends!


Then tomorrow evening is our final Volunteer Walk-Thru meeting. So by the time I get home and feed, the kids will think I have run away and abandoned them!!!

Gotta head out today - full day of work and appointments this evening. Take care today. Enjoy today. LIVE today!