It still did not warm up enough to send ponies outside. I don't believe we even broke 0 degrees today. Everyone is taking it in stride. I am glad I made the stalls big enough for everyone to move around in. Only one pony is in a 8X 10 which is a tad small for her. But no one is crabby today!
Hopefully tomorrow I can send them out for a bit to stretch their legs.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Weekend
Not much happened this weekend, ponies were stalled since Thursday night due to sub zero temperatures and windchills that once again reached depths I care not to experience.
Last night I spent time surfing the net and I found a contest in which I entered, of all things - review items that I use everyday (almost) in my pony world. I had fun writing the few reviews -- the directions said to make it entertaining, so I did. We'll see if I win.
Sunday I went on a visitation to a friends house and enjoyed her children's company as well as hers. Came home and did chores - late, but everyone survived.
And so goes, off to give the ponies their tuck in (when the weather is this cold, I feed 2 extra feedings of hay to stave off the cold) the ponies. One more day and we start thawing out again! LOL!
Last night I spent time surfing the net and I found a contest in which I entered, of all things - review items that I use everyday (almost) in my pony world. I had fun writing the few reviews -- the directions said to make it entertaining, so I did. We'll see if I win.
Sunday I went on a visitation to a friends house and enjoyed her children's company as well as hers. Came home and did chores - late, but everyone survived.
And so goes, off to give the ponies their tuck in (when the weather is this cold, I feed 2 extra feedings of hay to stave off the cold) the ponies. One more day and we start thawing out again! LOL!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Can we say deep freeze again?
Have you checked your freezer lately? Did you leave the door open accidentally? I am wondering because it is below zero again where I live and it is expected to stay that way for a few days again.
The ponies stayed in today, we had 30 mph and gusty winds from the North. Even though the thermometer read 13 above, the windchill said -15. Fun? I think not.
So not too much got done today. I just played with the babies a bit, talked to each pony individually. Not much else. So I spent time on the internet reading articles about the equine industry and what laws are being passed by each state.
One disturbing article was from New Hampshire - they are going to try to pass a law that each horse has to have a rabies license. Not only that, the vet has to come out and administer the rabies vaccinations for each, which includes the rabies shot and possibly a certificate stating so. Which most likely will also have a small fee attached to it. Then each horse's record will have to be taken into the nearest municipality and registered and given a licensed tag. The cost will be $25 to start out with. So imagining - it will be $100 per horse to get its license all said and done.
I already have the vet come out and vaccinate on my place, we have discussed rabies shots, but my vet hasn't heard of a rabies case in horses in my area in all his years of practice. So what does that tell you? Does New Hampshire have some sort of rabies issue in the equine world we are not aware of??
Not only that I read another article regarding how the 2009 United States Congress and House will deal with the Equine Industry. Did you know we generate $102 Billion and add 1.4 million jobs to the economy? At one time the Equine industry was the 5th largest industry in the US.
Basically the article wonders if all the recent bills passed that helps the average equine business increase its business a bit by allowing $250,000 in tax deductions, but that had expired as of the end of 2008.
'The increase of the Section 179 expense deduction to $250,000, and the reinstatement of bonus depreciation, were included in last year's tax stimulus bill. Both expired at the end of 2008, but the American Horse Council thinks it is likely that Congress will extend both provisions in this year's stimulus bill.'
We'll see if this holds true. On another note, it is highly unlikely anything else gets tied up as the Ag jobs falls by the wayside in 2009 Congress. Surely there will be other legislation evolving and introduced, but....
'No matter what legislation is introduced in the coming months, it will be important for the new Congress to hear from members of the horse industry. This is why the AHC, in cooperation with its member organizations, has launched a new grassroots initiative called the Congressional Cavalry program. All individual horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, trainers, competitors, recreational riders, service providers, or anyone who desire to join the grassroots efforts of the horse community in Washington, are encouraged to join. Through this free program the AHC will let you know when legislation that affects the horse industry is introduced and when and how to contact your members of Congress. To sign up for this program call the AHC at (202) 296-4031.'
Let' s hope are voices are heard.
The ponies stayed in today, we had 30 mph and gusty winds from the North. Even though the thermometer read 13 above, the windchill said -15. Fun? I think not.
So not too much got done today. I just played with the babies a bit, talked to each pony individually. Not much else. So I spent time on the internet reading articles about the equine industry and what laws are being passed by each state.
One disturbing article was from New Hampshire - they are going to try to pass a law that each horse has to have a rabies license. Not only that, the vet has to come out and administer the rabies vaccinations for each, which includes the rabies shot and possibly a certificate stating so. Which most likely will also have a small fee attached to it. Then each horse's record will have to be taken into the nearest municipality and registered and given a licensed tag. The cost will be $25 to start out with. So imagining - it will be $100 per horse to get its license all said and done.
I already have the vet come out and vaccinate on my place, we have discussed rabies shots, but my vet hasn't heard of a rabies case in horses in my area in all his years of practice. So what does that tell you? Does New Hampshire have some sort of rabies issue in the equine world we are not aware of??
Not only that I read another article regarding how the 2009 United States Congress and House will deal with the Equine Industry. Did you know we generate $102 Billion and add 1.4 million jobs to the economy? At one time the Equine industry was the 5th largest industry in the US.
Basically the article wonders if all the recent bills passed that helps the average equine business increase its business a bit by allowing $250,000 in tax deductions, but that had expired as of the end of 2008.
'The increase of the Section 179 expense deduction to $250,000, and the reinstatement of bonus depreciation, were included in last year's tax stimulus bill. Both expired at the end of 2008, but the American Horse Council thinks it is likely that Congress will extend both provisions in this year's stimulus bill.'
We'll see if this holds true. On another note, it is highly unlikely anything else gets tied up as the Ag jobs falls by the wayside in 2009 Congress. Surely there will be other legislation evolving and introduced, but....
'No matter what legislation is introduced in the coming months, it will be important for the new Congress to hear from members of the horse industry. This is why the AHC, in cooperation with its member organizations, has launched a new grassroots initiative called the Congressional Cavalry program. All individual horse owners, breeders, veterinarians, trainers, competitors, recreational riders, service providers, or anyone who desire to join the grassroots efforts of the horse community in Washington, are encouraged to join. Through this free program the AHC will let you know when legislation that affects the horse industry is introduced and when and how to contact your members of Congress. To sign up for this program call the AHC at (202) 296-4031.'
Let' s hope are voices are heard.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
My Private Christmas Mornings
Opening the barn door, in the morning, just after sunrise, is always an intriguing gamble. You never know what you will be walking into. Take this morning for instance. I opened the barn door and cooed my normal 'Morning Babies, its just me', which normally promotes rustling of hooves, shifting of weight, which is incredibly audible, and rattling of feed pans or water buckets, whichever is handiest, and the wonderful sound of nickers. All this excitement reeks of Christmas morning and tiny tots with presents galore. And I get this every morning-- okay well most mornings.
If you recall, I put up a 10X16 stall and the two weanling (now considered yearlings) fillies in there. Of course, rushing the night before against the impeccable timing of the sun going down - I only tied their gates to their respective poles to secure their settings.
This morning I opened the door, all to my private Christmas morning, finding all the normalcy in the world with one exception. Many of the ties that secured the gates of the fillies stalls were dangling loosely from their posts. And a surprised filly with a yellow tie hanging from her mouth. Lady had too much time or too much energy on her hands. I am not quite sure, but after checking out the gates and fillies out, there was no foul play, just good old fashioned fun for them.
I took the yellow tie out of her mouth and congratulated her on staying 'in' all night and not letting herself out to play. And then made the promise that I would fix her wagon as soon as possible.
As the day waned, I found myself in front of a not too happy boy. His stall was the last to get mucked out from the previous weeks deep freeze. You might ask, how do I know he was unhappy with his stall - well he had a nice little pile of hay that he decided to use as a pee box in front of his stall. And it was rank by the time I mucked it all out. When I brought my little boy back in, he was delighted again as he had a fresh bale of shavings laid out waiting for him, and he didn't waste a moment of his time taking in the indulgence laid before him. He was fully clothed in shavings in a matter of seconds and a sigh of happiness escaped his carriage into the air.
Tulip - now my Tulip - got her real first spanking for not listening to WHOA today. I was adding water to her bucket and the gate was left open with enough temptation for her to try to rush by. She tried it twice and I told her WHOA twice and back up once. Which she did. But the temptation got the better of her and she blasted past me. Of course me, I had a bucket of water I was pouring into her stall mates bucket, which spilled all over the place and I was almost knocked off my feet. She didn't go far, just down the way to her other friend's stall, whom had her ration of alfalfa hay for the night.
I had a thought that she was starving. I went over to her and she let me catch her right off the bat. I scolded her. Started to lead her back and she stopped dead in her tracks. Well that's when the 'pop' came. It surprised her and she decided following me would be better than being 'popped'. So we went back to her stall. When I put her in, the stall not as open as when she rushed out, was still a bit of a temptation, so we had a 'No you can't rush out the stall door' talk. And it left her in a state of 'Gosh - I need to think about this'. And so I closed her stall door and let her.
Between my own private Christmas mornings and disciplining of children, it seems my days are full and never dull.
If you recall, I put up a 10X16 stall and the two weanling (now considered yearlings) fillies in there. Of course, rushing the night before against the impeccable timing of the sun going down - I only tied their gates to their respective poles to secure their settings.
This morning I opened the door, all to my private Christmas morning, finding all the normalcy in the world with one exception. Many of the ties that secured the gates of the fillies stalls were dangling loosely from their posts. And a surprised filly with a yellow tie hanging from her mouth. Lady had too much time or too much energy on her hands. I am not quite sure, but after checking out the gates and fillies out, there was no foul play, just good old fashioned fun for them.
I took the yellow tie out of her mouth and congratulated her on staying 'in' all night and not letting herself out to play. And then made the promise that I would fix her wagon as soon as possible.
As the day waned, I found myself in front of a not too happy boy. His stall was the last to get mucked out from the previous weeks deep freeze. You might ask, how do I know he was unhappy with his stall - well he had a nice little pile of hay that he decided to use as a pee box in front of his stall. And it was rank by the time I mucked it all out. When I brought my little boy back in, he was delighted again as he had a fresh bale of shavings laid out waiting for him, and he didn't waste a moment of his time taking in the indulgence laid before him. He was fully clothed in shavings in a matter of seconds and a sigh of happiness escaped his carriage into the air.
Tulip - now my Tulip - got her real first spanking for not listening to WHOA today. I was adding water to her bucket and the gate was left open with enough temptation for her to try to rush by. She tried it twice and I told her WHOA twice and back up once. Which she did. But the temptation got the better of her and she blasted past me. Of course me, I had a bucket of water I was pouring into her stall mates bucket, which spilled all over the place and I was almost knocked off my feet. She didn't go far, just down the way to her other friend's stall, whom had her ration of alfalfa hay for the night.
I had a thought that she was starving. I went over to her and she let me catch her right off the bat. I scolded her. Started to lead her back and she stopped dead in her tracks. Well that's when the 'pop' came. It surprised her and she decided following me would be better than being 'popped'. So we went back to her stall. When I put her in, the stall not as open as when she rushed out, was still a bit of a temptation, so we had a 'No you can't rush out the stall door' talk. And it left her in a state of 'Gosh - I need to think about this'. And so I closed her stall door and let her.
Between my own private Christmas mornings and disciplining of children, it seems my days are full and never dull.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
BEAUTIFULL DAY!
Well it wasn't exactly 32 degrees out - but, it was warm enough today. I did it, got two more posts set in the frozen tundra ground. Okay I know they will have to be reset in the spring, but, for weanlings, it will do. I will have to permanently put the gates up tomorrow, but I did get them secured for the night and the babies are now in a big 10X16 stall, which later will be split in half and they each have their own stalls.
So everyone tonight was bratty - okay not everyone, but all the mares and fillies were brats. Sugar ducked through a gate and visited the boys. Someone ought to tell her she is already knocked up! Tulip got popped for almost knocking me over being flamboyant. Honey decided she didn't like her stall tonight and it took 3 times to get her completely inside the stall! Opal jumped all over the place like a little puppy dog - sheesh! I had my hands full. Don't know what was in the water today, but.....
I have one more stall to muck out. But I just got in, its 9pm - I am so tired! But it is a good day, despite the upset barn, because I moved ponies around (its like moving furniture on your husband when he isn't looking!), it seems everyone will be settled down shortly. Chores will be just a bit easier when everyone has their own stall. It will be dump and run! YIPPPEEE! No more babysitting!
Okay, gotta go rest the tired dogs.
So everyone tonight was bratty - okay not everyone, but all the mares and fillies were brats. Sugar ducked through a gate and visited the boys. Someone ought to tell her she is already knocked up! Tulip got popped for almost knocking me over being flamboyant. Honey decided she didn't like her stall tonight and it took 3 times to get her completely inside the stall! Opal jumped all over the place like a little puppy dog - sheesh! I had my hands full. Don't know what was in the water today, but.....
I have one more stall to muck out. But I just got in, its 9pm - I am so tired! But it is a good day, despite the upset barn, because I moved ponies around (its like moving furniture on your husband when he isn't looking!), it seems everyone will be settled down shortly. Chores will be just a bit easier when everyone has their own stall. It will be dump and run! YIPPPEEE! No more babysitting!
Okay, gotta go rest the tired dogs.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
And just a big ole hello!
Just a big ole hello - seems my 2 year old Mizzie woke up today! She was all over the pasture - making her own headway, instead of trailering behind Tulip. She showed attitude, charisma and spunk! Came up to me all by her little lonesome without checking with the older mares and fillies. Just before I brought her in, she was tail swishing all the way across the pasture from one end to the other, a bright streak of bay and white! Tulip watch out!
Tulip on the other hand, did the most marvelous thing tonight when she came in. I tucked Mizzie into her stall and then asked Tulip to stand pretty, and by gosh, after two little shuffles with her hinnie - she stepped back, stepped up and held her head high, with only a touch on the lead! WHOOHOOOO Tulip! So, if you know me, I ask for the extra. I asked her to extend her nose to my palm, and after asking her to flatten her hips, she pressed for the gold! Another WHOOOOHOOO Tulip! What a pretty picture that will be in the ring. I couldn't contain myself - I jumped up and down and then hugged her. And to my atonishment - she let me drool all over her. Okay for a minute, then she, being the teenager that she is, was too embarrassed to have me hanging on her, she ducked and ran for her stall. Okay but I am still jumping for joy! I won't ask for a couple more nights, but if she will give this to me on queue, WOW!
Smokie was filled with fun and frolick today and he is begging to get back to training. I have two more stalls to muck out from last week yet, but I think the ponies feel it - warmer weather! Will have to pull out the rig and set him up.
Pregger mares were laying down in the sun on top of hay out in the pastures, it was great to see them relaxed.
My two babies are starting to ask for more attention. Lady is letting me pat her all over, and she backs up to me, just like her big sister and wants a butt scratch! It is too hilarious, I have three in the barn that live for the butt scratch. Cowboy dances while you scratch his itchies. Lady reaches for the heavens and Tulip just presses hard into the scratch. I need to get the cactus cloth out and start using that instead of my gloved hands. I go through so many pairs of gloves with these guys!
As I said, two more stalls to much out tomorrow and then things will hopefully go back to normal, things can resume. Ahhhhh.
Tulip on the other hand, did the most marvelous thing tonight when she came in. I tucked Mizzie into her stall and then asked Tulip to stand pretty, and by gosh, after two little shuffles with her hinnie - she stepped back, stepped up and held her head high, with only a touch on the lead! WHOOHOOOO Tulip! So, if you know me, I ask for the extra. I asked her to extend her nose to my palm, and after asking her to flatten her hips, she pressed for the gold! Another WHOOOOHOOO Tulip! What a pretty picture that will be in the ring. I couldn't contain myself - I jumped up and down and then hugged her. And to my atonishment - she let me drool all over her. Okay for a minute, then she, being the teenager that she is, was too embarrassed to have me hanging on her, she ducked and ran for her stall. Okay but I am still jumping for joy! I won't ask for a couple more nights, but if she will give this to me on queue, WOW!
Smokie was filled with fun and frolick today and he is begging to get back to training. I have two more stalls to muck out from last week yet, but I think the ponies feel it - warmer weather! Will have to pull out the rig and set him up.
Pregger mares were laying down in the sun on top of hay out in the pastures, it was great to see them relaxed.
My two babies are starting to ask for more attention. Lady is letting me pat her all over, and she backs up to me, just like her big sister and wants a butt scratch! It is too hilarious, I have three in the barn that live for the butt scratch. Cowboy dances while you scratch his itchies. Lady reaches for the heavens and Tulip just presses hard into the scratch. I need to get the cactus cloth out and start using that instead of my gloved hands. I go through so many pairs of gloves with these guys!
As I said, two more stalls to much out tomorrow and then things will hopefully go back to normal, things can resume. Ahhhhh.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Whew!
Well the wind was considerably less today. I only have 4 more stalls to cleanse all the way to the floor mats! YIPPPEE!
Well on one of my breaks I was sitting reading some of the emails I have received and I looked ou the window and low and behold a head held high and a huge tail flag was going from one side of the pasture to the other in high tail fashion was a pony on a mission. The mission today was 'Kill The Bale'. I mean if you were to see this you would roll over on the floor laughing. Tulip decided she was going to kill the bale of hay on the other side of the pasture. I watched as she jauntily picked up speed and headed straight for it. I thought she would stop, but nope, she cruised right over the top of it. Non too gracefully either. She kind of half fell, half tripped and then picked herself up like a dizzy blond that tripped over her own feet and barely caught herself upright. The other ponies stepped back about 2 steps and stared at her.
Tulip wasn't done either, she popped her head up and bowled her shoulder into the bale and proceeded to try to move it to some unknown destination. Not moving it, she reared up her front feet and pounced on the bale. She hung out for several seconds and then tried to jump up and over the bale. Not succeeding , Tulip trotted a few feet away and turned around, looked at everyone, like nothing ever happened.
But the other ponies didn't let it slide - they each took a turn at poking fun at her in their own way. Tulip didn't take it hard though, she started them all running around with their heads cut off. Atta girl Tulip, make it your own, own it! LOL!
My babies are starting to loose their weanling guts ! It could take along time, unless you know the secret. Everyone thinks they can handle grass hay, some omolene 100 or 200 and work their little hooves to death to get rid of their pot guts. But the real trick is, they need all their essentials and a great source of protein, 16% or better. I have seen weanlings turn around in a short time with the correct nutrients. I have also seen weanlings hang onto their weanling pot guts for more than 6 months because their feed program isn't keeping up with their nutritional needs. Then you get a strung out looking yearling. But all is well. I was sweating it, but its all good now.
Oh and speaking of weanlings (who are now really yearlings), my ASPR filly has been watching one Shiner very carefully lately. She has the stolen 'Tucker ball' in her pen right now. I wondered who threw it over the fence in the mares and fillies pasture. This morning I had my answer. Lady picked it up, she was moving it around, and flipping it up and down like Shiner does. Little stinker! Talented she will be.
I did mare check today and I am happy to say, my ASPR mare is starting to look preggers. I wondered for about the past month if she got missed, but she exploded over the cold snap! I have had no doubt on my Classic mare, she is happily preggers. And the maiden mare is starting to stretch her bag out, so she is on track for her due date.
This year I will have to rig up a foaling stall as the first foal is due the end of March, so anytime after March 1st I need to be ready. So I got some of the supplies to insulate the walls and board up the inbetween wall. I have a heater on the way, I will have it ready to go by the first of February and ready for the first foal to arrive.
Its kind of exciting. I love having the babies in the spring and summer. They are so much fun to watch and interact with. Such curious little things. And if you ever want a great kiss - all you have to do is ask and you are bound to get a big wet milk smelling kiss!
Well off to dreaming of new babies for this year!
Well on one of my breaks I was sitting reading some of the emails I have received and I looked ou the window and low and behold a head held high and a huge tail flag was going from one side of the pasture to the other in high tail fashion was a pony on a mission. The mission today was 'Kill The Bale'. I mean if you were to see this you would roll over on the floor laughing. Tulip decided she was going to kill the bale of hay on the other side of the pasture. I watched as she jauntily picked up speed and headed straight for it. I thought she would stop, but nope, she cruised right over the top of it. Non too gracefully either. She kind of half fell, half tripped and then picked herself up like a dizzy blond that tripped over her own feet and barely caught herself upright. The other ponies stepped back about 2 steps and stared at her.
Tulip wasn't done either, she popped her head up and bowled her shoulder into the bale and proceeded to try to move it to some unknown destination. Not moving it, she reared up her front feet and pounced on the bale. She hung out for several seconds and then tried to jump up and over the bale. Not succeeding , Tulip trotted a few feet away and turned around, looked at everyone, like nothing ever happened.
But the other ponies didn't let it slide - they each took a turn at poking fun at her in their own way. Tulip didn't take it hard though, she started them all running around with their heads cut off. Atta girl Tulip, make it your own, own it! LOL!
My babies are starting to loose their weanling guts ! It could take along time, unless you know the secret. Everyone thinks they can handle grass hay, some omolene 100 or 200 and work their little hooves to death to get rid of their pot guts. But the real trick is, they need all their essentials and a great source of protein, 16% or better. I have seen weanlings turn around in a short time with the correct nutrients. I have also seen weanlings hang onto their weanling pot guts for more than 6 months because their feed program isn't keeping up with their nutritional needs. Then you get a strung out looking yearling. But all is well. I was sweating it, but its all good now.
Oh and speaking of weanlings (who are now really yearlings), my ASPR filly has been watching one Shiner very carefully lately. She has the stolen 'Tucker ball' in her pen right now. I wondered who threw it over the fence in the mares and fillies pasture. This morning I had my answer. Lady picked it up, she was moving it around, and flipping it up and down like Shiner does. Little stinker! Talented she will be.
I did mare check today and I am happy to say, my ASPR mare is starting to look preggers. I wondered for about the past month if she got missed, but she exploded over the cold snap! I have had no doubt on my Classic mare, she is happily preggers. And the maiden mare is starting to stretch her bag out, so she is on track for her due date.
This year I will have to rig up a foaling stall as the first foal is due the end of March, so anytime after March 1st I need to be ready. So I got some of the supplies to insulate the walls and board up the inbetween wall. I have a heater on the way, I will have it ready to go by the first of February and ready for the first foal to arrive.
Its kind of exciting. I love having the babies in the spring and summer. They are so much fun to watch and interact with. Such curious little things. And if you ever want a great kiss - all you have to do is ask and you are bound to get a big wet milk smelling kiss!
Well off to dreaming of new babies for this year!
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