Something New and a Lot of Aggravation

This will have to be a short update (the crowd stands and roars in approval) as it is late and I've not yet made out my farrier list for tomorrow. Yesterday my new DR Power Grader was delivered. Yippee!! Trying to get my arena drug is like trying to force an Act of God to happen or something. The drag is huge and has to be pulled with a decent sized tractor. Well both tractors are always hooked up to something else. You can see where this is headed so anyway I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and order something I could use with the Kubota utility vehicle.

My Power Grader arrived yesterday and with great anticipation I opened my large box. Oh nooooooo!!!! Some assembly required. So my precious new Power Grader just sat there in its box on the driveway in front of the barn. However the men in my life do love me and Jason and my dad spent a couple of hours doing the "some assembly required" this afternoon. As Jason and I were discussing the assembly of my new toy we heard lots of moaning and looked over to see Asterik rolling . . . RIGHT by the fence. And of course he then flopped the wrong way, stuck his leg through the bottom board and broke it. This did not make Jason (or myself) happy since he already had one Power Grader to put together. Add one new fence board to the work list. Thankfully Asterik only had a couple of minor scratches.

I have to go on record and say I am not a fan of 4-board wood fence. Almost every injury I've ever had on this farm has been related to the wood fence. It cracks, splinters, rots, they break boards regularly, they like to chew on it, the cribbers love it, you have to paint it and repaint it . . . I could go on forever. I know it is pretty but in my opinion it just isn't the safest fence although people seem to have it in their heads that it is. We have a long cross fence of the no-climb wire mesh and I LOVE that fence.

Anyway, as Jason and my dad worked away at assembling the Power Grader I rode Bonnie and Lexi. Bonnie came home from the trainer yesterday and I am thrilled to have her back home. We've recently rotated pastures to let some of them rest and I have a couple of big, empty pastures right now. So I decided to ride out in the fields for a nice change. I love riding out in the fields but most of them are usually occupied. I had wonderful rides on both girls. Then as I was untacking Lexi I realized that my cell phone holder - along with my cell phone - was gone. I have one of those holders that attaches to your boot for riding since I usually have it in my pocket otherwise. Well, I guess it came off and took my phone with it. I tried for awhile to walk around the farm with Jason's phone calling my cell phone but to no avail. It could be anywhere on about sixty acres that I rode around in today.

I must admit I don't miss hearing it ring but now I have to add one more thing to my already lengthy to-do list, go to Verizon and replace my phone. UGH. UGH. UGH. So anybody reading this who has my cell phone number please don't bother to call it. Maybe I just won't replace it. I cringed every time it rang anyway - which seemed to be a lot lately!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Mine will be spent replacing fence boards (one of my least favorite things), dragging my arena with my Power Grader (looking forward to that!), and replacing my cell phone (Grrrrrr).

I took this today. L-R is Poco hiding behind the tree, Lexi, Bridget and Traveller

Jason and Dad contemplating their next step in assembly
Apparently they had a good debate about how to put on some part and finally they decided to consult the instructions. What a brilliant idea! The Don is watching my dad (bottom right) and I guess he was the supervisor today since I was occupied riding my girls and unavailable to fill the position.

Jason looking very focused on something

Happy Birthday Faune!

Today we had another birthday on the farm. It was Faune's birthday and of course we celebrated. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse for your birthday to fall on tax day! At least it is an easy date to remember. You can see a picture of Faune flying high in his former life in this post (and just think, Faune was a hunter and only did the jumpers as a side job!). You can also learn a bit more about Faune in this post as well.

Faune has a sweet tooth as big as mine so he did indulge in some cake today. His "roommates" watched over the fence as Faune celebrated his day. The dogs were also very active participants and devoured every bit of Faune's cake with the exception of the one piece that Faune ate. Of course Amy and I took our requisite swipes of icing before we let the partiers have at it!

Other than Faune's birthday it was just a typical day on the farm. We did lots of the usual exciting things like feeding, cleaning stalls, scrubbing water troughs and grooming horses. The weather wasn't the best today. The high was only sixty degrees and I think it finally made it there for about ten minutes this afternoon. It was one of those days where if I was moving around it was too warm when I had my coat on yet I wasn't warm enough without it. Jason keeps bothering me about going to buy a spring jacket . . . maybe he is on to something with that.

Amy (I manged to behead her in this picture) and Faune

Amy giving Faune some icing
I can't remember if Faune or the dogs were responsible for this initial damage

Bella enjoying Faune's birthday

Bugle eating some cake

Bear says "this is SO GOOD, when is my birthday mom??"Offering Faune some more cake

Mmmmmm, that was so good (note the icing on his lips)!

Bella, Bush, Trooper and Bugle licking up every last crumb of cake they can find

All of the partying wore out Henry and Trillion; they needed to rest and recover (with Asterik standing watch)

Sebastian and Ogie recovering from the festivities

Jo playing on the teeter totter that Jason built for the goats; Mina is still unsure if she thinks this contraption if fun or not. Mina really didn't know what to think when she was behind Jo and then Jo ran to the other end and lifted Mina up. I don't think she's been on it since but Jo loves it! Jo having fun

We're Back!

I apologize for not updating my blog since last week. Jason and I had a brief getaway over Easter weekend. My parents have a beautiful place on the Gulf Coast that we are welcome to go to any time we want. My sister goes so often she keeps a key on her key ring. Jason and I have not been since 2006! We decided that was pretty stupid on our parts and decided to rectify that this weekend. So we made a quick trip to the coast and enjoyed a short break, ate a lot of fresh seafood and relaxed.

The view from the master bedroom

One of the more popular local residents is Chuckie the alligator at the zoo. Chuckie is an eleven foot alligator that weighs over 1,000 pounds. He lives at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo which was featured in the thirteen episode Animal Planet series The Little Zoo That Could. If you have never watched this series I highly recommend it. This zoo did what no other zoo had done before - a complete evacuation of all the animals before a hurricane. I will admit I am often not a fan of zoos as sometimes the animals just don't look happy and I feel bad that they are stared at all day. But the animals at this zoo truly looked happy and well cared for. And if you've watched the series you know just how much the caretakers care about these animals . . . it kind of reminds me of Jason and I with the horses here. You have to love the animals and love caring for them to really do it right.

Chuckie's story - he was harassing guests at the state park for their picnic baskets. The zoo offered to take Chuckie so he would not have to be destroyed.
Chuckie was sunning himself lazily

Although it was nice to be away for a couple of days it is always nice to come back to the farm. I had a really nice gift waiting for me when I got home. I read Luanne's blog All In a Day's Work. She is not only a horsewoman with a lovely farm but she is an amazing artist! Recently she gave away some of her handmade dichroric glass jewelry to some of her readers. She had a fun contest where we answered a few questions that were easy if you read her blog! Then we had the fun of picking our jewelry! I even had Jason helping me out, they were all so beautiful I had a hard time deciding. Plus, it was hard to accept such a generous gift.

However not only did Luanne send me the gorgeous necklace I picked out, but opening the whole package was a fun experience. First there was this really cute box that I realized was a recipe box. The necklace was inside, but she also included a handwritten recipe from her own collection for Chocolate Nut Pie. Clearly Luanne has been reading my blog since she knows I love dessert! The whole presentation was just so perfect it would have made anyone's day and it definitely made mine. I guess I am just not that . . . nice? Or that thoughtful? Or that creative? I sure as heck cannot make jewelry (or at least nothing anyone would wear!) much less put so much thought into creating such a cute package.

My wonderful package: the recipe box, necklace, and the Chocolate Nut Pie recipe

Isn't this necklace awesome? I love the colors and love the fact that it is a one of a kind creation, no one else will ever have one just like it!

It was nice to be back working on the farm today. Aside from a very brief rain shower this morning and another ten minute rain shower this afternoon the day was beautiful. Bright sunshine, a gentle breeze and a temperature in the low 70's. I have noticed there is one Canada Goose still hanging around the pond. He also hangs out in the pasture next to the pond where Buffy and Harmony live. I don't know if he got separated from his group or what. He appears to be perfectly healthy and happy. The geese stop by the pond both when they head south and then again when they head north.

He (or she) is between Buffy and Harmony in this picture but is tiny and hard to see in the pictureStrolling through the pasture

Hanging out

Other than that we don't have a lot going on around here. The exciting news one day last week was that Cuffie actually stopped grazing for a moment when he was outside! This was newsworthy since he has literally never lifted his head from the grass when he has been out. He took the time to roll in the grass and now does so every day. The grass will still be there when you get up Cuffie! I was trying to take a picture of him today for his family and was desperately trying to get a picture of him doing anything other than eating. I was waving my hands, clucking, etc. to no avail. I finally resorted to pulling his head up by the halter and taking a quick picture. I got a picture of Cuffie looking very displeased with me! Bella the dog did find it interesting to watch me being silly.

Cuffie with a big sigh says "will you please GO AWAY, I am trying to eat!"

Bella put HER ears forward watching me trying to take Cuffie's picture

As you can see Asterik took advantage of our brief rain today. I don't know why I am even posting this picture as he is so filthy! He is normally white . . .

Happy Birthday Apollo and A Gorgeous Day

Today truly made up for our last two days of yucky weather. A high right at 70 degrees, bright sunshine, and a gentle, warm breeze. Perfect! The horses were shocked when we put their blankets on them on Monday morning. They haven't worn blankets in awhile. To add insult to injury they all had their spring vaccinations Monday afternoon. I think it is safe to say that the horses were not thrilled with us humans on Monday between being blanketed and then being vaccinated. However today was a beautiful day that more than made up for the last two days, and the horses were thrilled when we pulled off their blankets this morning. Let the rolling begin!

Today was also Apollo's birthday! If you have not "met" Apollo he is wonderful horse and well-loved by his owners - and for good reason. Click here to read a previous blog post about Apollo.

As always we had a carrot cake to celebrate the occasion. Of course the other horses were interested as they heard all of the crinkly paper and the plastic popping as we took the cake out of the bag and then the container. We led him away from the gate and the other horses so Apollo could enjoy his cake without interference. Amy was holding his lead rope while I kept tapping the bucket trying to get his attention and see the cake. After all we were sure he would be thrilled once he realized he had his very own carrot cake. He wouldn't even look at it!

Apollo not even acknowledging his perfect birthday carrot cake

I then started scooting the fed pan with the cake around and trying to get his attention. Still no interest so I pulled his head down to make sure he saw the cake. He finally noticed there was something down there. He put his head down and sniffed it for about half a second.

Good thing I was quick with the camera. If I had blinked I would have missed this moment.

At this point Jason decided to take charge. Amy continued to hold the lead rope, I was still ready with the camera, and Jason picked up the cake to hold it up to Apollo.

This was the result

Needless to say Amy, Jason and I enjoyed some nice carrot cake. We decided that a half second sniff hadn't ruined it! It was sitting on a plastic tray in the bucket as well. Apollo - the cream cheese icing was deeeeeelicious - your loss!

We were commenting today on how relaxed and "zen like" the horses were today. I think the weather was just so perfect, they had their blankets removed, and the setting was perfect. We saw lots of mutual grooming and happy horses.

Tony on the left and Leo on the right grooming each other. They are both Dutch Warmbloods and look so much alike - the same shade of chestnut and lots of chrome!

Video of Tony and Leo grooming each other.

Homer (Irish Thoroughbred) in the front and Levendi (Oldenburg) in the back grooming each other. Homer and Levendi were both "A" circuit hunters prior to retirement.

Video of Homer and Levendi grooming each other

The Very, Very Basics of Feeding Horses - Jason's Post

After an early morning today and a busy week leading up to what we hope is a relaxing Easter Sunday, Melissa, in a rare moment of fatigue, has given this blog post over to her enthusiastic if sometimes unastute husband !

Given my background in production agriculture and my degree and my years in the feed industry, I am often asked what I consider to be a "good" horse feed, or what I might consider a "good" horse supplement. The truth is that it depends on the horse, on the owner, and on the individual situation that both horse and owner find themselves in at the time. Most feeds and supplements today do what they advertise they will do, and this can be good and bad in equal measure depending on the situation. That said, there are a few nutritional basics that should make up the foundation of ANY good horse nutritional programme. I'll spend the balance of this post sharing them with you. (And sorry for the British spellings. I may be a new Yank, but old habits and the Queens English I learned in Canadian schools die slowly and die hard !)

1. Make diet changes SLOWLY when possible !

As far as I am concerned, this should be commandment # 1 !! Melissa and I regularly receive horses from all over North America at every season of the year. Upon arrival, our horses receive an 'ideal' type grass hay free choice and all the water they can drink along with any medications that they may have been on in their former home. During their first day or two they receive no grain beyond that which is required to digest their various meds. The reason for this is based on the biology of microflora which digests forage and grain in the horses' hindgut/caecum.

These "bugs" can broadly be divided into grain digesters and forage digesters with way more forage digesters present at any given time. Nutritionists out there will shudder at this description, but for our purposes, it is accurate to suggest that the grain digesting microflora change proportion in the hindgut over a period of several weeks. So if we overload an already stressed horse with grain too quickly (or sometimes even just a different type of grain), we run an increased risk of inducing acidosis and all the maladies that stem from it (ulcers, laminitis, founder, colic, etc.).

Our program here involves introducing grain in no more than 1/2 lb increments per day. Similarly, when changing grain feeds significantly, we back down the old one in half pound increments to about 50% of the original volume, mix the old and the new at that rate for 7-10 days, and then ramp up the new feed in half pound increments until the poundage approximates what the horse was getting before. When troubleshooting equine nutritional problems, fully 25 % of my calls can be fixed over time by addressing this issue.

2. Have adequate forage available to the horse at all times !

Horses were meant to digest generally poor quality roughage, and in any grazing situation a typical horse eats upwards of 14 small roughage meals in a 24 hour period. Think about how that compares to what a horse receives in many boarding situations. Living in a stall, no matter how nice the barn in question may be, does nothing to promote a 'natural' situation or induce natural behaviours in any horse. Grain is fed (often in large quantities) twice or three times a day. Hay is thrown down twice or more a day, and mangers are often empty for as many hours as they are full. My first question when I'm asked to troubleshoot nutrition problems at equine facilities is" How long has that hay rack been empty ?". My second question is, " When and how much grain do your horses get fed ?" Another quarter of the problems I see can be (and are) solved by changing the variables related to hay availability and timing/quantity of grain feeding.

3. Base your equine nutrition program on forages first, test the forages repeatedly, and then supplement the forage up to the level of nutrition required. If you really want to fix trace mineral deficiencies in forages, it's often a very good idea to start by testing the soil in which the forages are grown and addressing the problem at the source rather than adding it later. Every ag extension office in the country has soil probes available to test soil for nutrients, and most extension agents will be able to tell you in general terms what your local soils may be lacking or what they may have in excess.

Not only will this be easier on your pocketbook over time, it will also lend great peace of mind when the inevitable road bumps involved in horse ownership hit simply because you won't be guessing at the results when someone asks what the horse was eating. I am often told that testing forage and soil is time consuming and expensive. In truth, I believe it is neither, but I do think the process is very unfamiliar to most horse owners !! There are many forage and soil labs on the internet that will send you self addressed and stamped envelopes to mail your samples in to their lab, and for somewhere between $20 and $ 40, will send you a complete analysis back, often within a week.

I hope you found this post informative. I know Melissa has talked about some of these things before, but at least now you know where she gets the preaching from !

Birthday Cake, Napping, and Playful Ponies

We had a nice weekend around the farm. Jason and I were really busy but the horses seemed to mostly nap! There were a few playful moments though in between all of the lounging in the sun. We had another gorgeous weekend as far as weather, mid 70's and sunny. However we will be putting on blankets Monday morning thanks to the cold front coming through tonight. After a few weeks in the 70's I really thought we were done with blankets. Not only will we be blanketing everyone on Monday but the vet will be here to do spring vaccinations as well. It will be a very busy day.

I apologize for this short post but it has been a busy weekend that will be followed by a busy day tomorrow so I'm off to bed!

I got a little carrot cake for Cuff Links since his birthday was April 1st. This was the most interest he showed in it.

He never even gave it a second sniff the little ingrate (kidding of course!). He only wanted the grass.
Chili on the left and Clay out cold on the right

Silky (aka Slinky) and Baby were being playful and running through the field

Levendi and Ivan are napping on the left and to the far right Chance is napping

a closer view of Levendi and Ivan

Tony was in dead horse position and sleeping hard but I disturbed him when I walked out to take his picture; that is Dustin's head on the right

The Don looking regal

Bush hanging out

Bubba, Billy and The Don

Pictures

These pictures were all taken in mid to late December. Enjoy these scenes from around the farm and everyone have a wonderful weekend!

Traveller, Poco and Sparky

Traveller
Baby

Enjoying each other's company - peacefully grazing

Ogie on Christmas morning

early Christmas morning sky

Henry and Trillion

Trooper the 3-legged wonder and Jason

Hanging out; Trooper and Bush (with a big yawn)

Sebastian and Asterik were being playful

Trillion, Henry and Asterik

Dustin was full of himself

too bad I caught the buck on the downswing

Bella on the hay bale

Missy, Harmony and Buffy

Levendi and Tony

Leo

Teddy and Harmony

Buffy