Birds, brat, Beamer and boomers

There is a huge flock of cowbirds here; hundreds and hundreds of them. And one little Kestrel can send them wheeling and hiding. It's quite something to watch; the big flock comes and lands in the trees surrounding our yard, and the Kestrel comes in and skims past the trees, and puts them all to flight. This morning they headed for the fenceline, and then back to the trees.

They are a noisy bunch, but it's not a bad sound, kinda pretty actually.

A certain little boy horse was a baaaaaad boy today. He didn't want to lead this morning, and pitched a little fit, for which he got a twack on the butt- well, he jerked away from me (I found out just how weak my shoulders are; dang arthritis!) and headed straight for the pen where his mama and Gussie are. Actually, the little brat went right through the electric fence and proceeded to drag it down and wrap it around a tree. Sigh. 

Fortunately, Ted was here to help block the mares and I caught them and turned them out in the big mare pasture until I could get their fence fixed. Then I took his nibs over and at least he decided to lead; he got his usual grain and grooming session. Tonight he was as good as gold, I think he finally has it figured out that this leading and tying business isn't so bad when it means having some good stuff to eat. 

I just got a new rain sheet for Beamer, and no sooner had I tried it on him than the temperature dropped and a big ole thunderstorm came a rockin' and a rollin' in, so I left it on him for the night.

He does love his blankets! The storm hit hard, and there was some lovely light so there is silly me dodging about the yard trying for a photo, at the same time trying to cook steaks on the BBQ and watch the season premier of Swamp People. Yep, I'm the queen of multi-tasking!

Wordless Wednesday

The youngsters

Went to Idaho today to get an exhaust system installed on my truck, and took Merle down for his first set of puppy shots. Oh. my. goodness. You'd'a thought the vet was murdering him when she put the needle in- and it was the smallest needle she could find! I guess little bitty pups have more sensitive skin. I have never had a little dog before, so I'm sure I have a lot to learn. I must say, he is the most self-possessed pup ever- almost behaves like an adult. No whining, sleeps through the night, and studies things before he acts. Smart li'l fella.

Rio is doing well with the grain, this morning he was finally eating right out of the bucket (without any help from Chickory!)

This evening I brought him out to the hitching rail, and he ate his grain out there. Now I can combine standing tied, the grain bucket, picking up and cleaning feet, and grooming all in one session.
Coyote Belle is doing well; her udder is getting smaller. I find it usually takes a month for a mare to dry up. Perhaps in October I can run the herd all together again.
We have some clouds building, with a little rain- much needed- in the forecast for tomorrow. At last the dust will subside; I hate it when the horses roll in their favorite dust bowls and get up coughing. I've been spraying water in their pens to help combat the dust, but it dries up in an hour or so. I have to bath Beamer before I ride he is so covered in dust he looks like a dun.
Can't believe it's the end of August already. (Wah!)

Mellow Monday

Doing chores this morning, I was looking for someplace safe to put Merle so that the horses wouldn't step on him, so I plunked him in this feed tub. Yeah right. Didn't take long for his fuzzy cuteness to hop out of there. But he did stay out of the way. I managed to get Rio to eat some grain, including the pellets, of course Chickory had to show him how, much to her delight. He is doing well, not calling to mama much any more.
Janice was out this way today to visit her mare, Jade, who is in training with Terril, the fellow who came out to look at Chickory. We had a good visit, and watched him ride her. He does a real nice job, and I might send Chickory to him for a week or so to make it easier for me.

Here he's working on the sidepass. 

Isn't Jade about the prettiest Morgan ? 

I think Janice is pleased with her progress, and she will be doing a blog post on it, hopefully with a video.

A new addition

Timing is everything. Bubby's passing left a hole in Ted's heart; he was Ted's cat, and my husband is a softy tenderhearted. For years, he has wanted a Pomeranian puppy, and on Saturday when looking through the local paper, he saw an ad for them. I called, they still had them, and the rest is a foregone conclusion- world, meet Merle!

He is a very good little guy, not a peep out of him from his crate during the night. He has already claimed his spot for cuddling:

He is 10 weeks old, and was born on our anniversary, June 15th. A tiny fellow, the cats  look huge next to him.

Thumper wants to play with him (no Thumper, it's not a new wind-up toy for you!)

The border collies took it all in stride, just a few sniffs, and they were more interested in whether or not I'd play ball with them.

He's so little that I have to be really careful where I step, and the collies did run him over once already. As a result he is cautious around them and takes himself out of their way.

My indoor cat, Pearl, won't have anything to do with him, but she'll just have to get used to him, because he will definitely be an indoor dog. She'll just have to share her space.

Sunday Stills

Today's challenge is all about pests or things that annoy you. Well, the most annoying thing around here right now is the face flies on the horses, I just can't stand to see them crowding around the eyes.

There are lots of other things that annoy me, but it's kinda hard to portray in a photo how annoying it is when you are trying to turn left against oncoming traffic, and the guy coming toward you doesn't signal til the last second, and turns right, when you could have gone already. Aaaargh!
The other thing is also something that is difficult to photograph, and has to do with traffic, so I set up a  picture puzzle for you: Who can tell me what this represents?

Don't ignore the red flags

I broke one of my own rules today, and therefore I deserve to get my butt kicked- only, it's already a little sore, thanks to my own stupidity.
I decided that today was weaning day for Rio. I also decided to get a ride in on Gussie before it got too hot to ride. So I put Rio in the round pen, and shortly after, caught Gussie and saddled her up. There was a lot of screaming going on, Rio to mama, mama to Rio, Beamer to anybody who'd listen, and Gussie was a little upset. Red flags with Gussie is head up, neck tense, and not looking at me at all- focussed on all the emotional turmoil, which gets her all emotional too. Twenty years ago, what I did next, I would have been able to handle, but today when I stepped up into the saddle and Gussie wound up like a coil spring, I didn't have the strength in my arms to hold her head up or the strength in my legs to kick that huge butt of hers out of gear. On top of that, I was riding in the Wade saddle, which is a little hard to pull leather on. So when Gussie bucked, I knew there was no way I was staying aboard, so I baled off the near side fortunately landing on my well padded posterior, and was smart enough not to put my hand out to break the fall (one broken wrist was enough, thanks!) so elbow and shoulder it was, and a half roll got me up on my feet and mad at myself. And a little mad at Gussie too, if I must be honest!
I hollered at Ted to come and get Rio out of the round pen (not NOW but RIGHT NOW!) and put Gussie in, tied the reins up and made her work until she was licking and chewing... and probably wondering who that crazy woman was ...I got large and in charge.... I climbed back on, put her through her paces, some spins, sidepasses, etc. and then went for a nice relaxing ride in the hayfield- silly mare, that's what I wanted all along, just a nice quiet putt on a beautiful morning.
You can see from this photo, that she was pretty happy when I got off, also that the Wade saddle fits her well- no dry spots.

Meanwhile Rio was all by himself in the stud pen, ( Beamer was out in his pasture) and not very happy.

Once I had Gussie in with the other mares, I grabbed Chickory, who now gets to be Rio's buddy. He tried to slurp milk from her, but she bit him in the butt. He was so happy to have a buddy he was literally dancing circles around her.

He had worked up a sweat as it's really hot here today, so I cooled off his water with some nice fresh cold stuff.

He settled down and quit calling, happy to have his best bud Chickory to keep him company. We'll see how tonight goes.

I'm glad I have two foals coming next year; they'll keep each other company at weaning.

Stock Dog Trials

It couldn't have been a better day for the Stock Dog Show- the sunshine was softened by a few clouds, and there was a little breeze too.The setting was absolutely gorgeous. Here is a video of the 360 degree view.

The big mountain peak that you can see from Janice's place, that is featured in her sunrise and sunset photos, Fisher Peak, was just beautiful.

Janice and I got to watch the open class. The sheep were 400 yards from the handler; the dog was to do an outrun, then lift the sheep and start them on a straight line to the handler (the fetch) taking them through two gates. The gates were just white fence panels, set widely apart.
Then around the handler, and start the drive, diagonally away from the handler, through one set of panels, then across the field and through another set of panels, back to the handler. The next element is the split, in which the handler separated two of the sheep and the dog drives them away from the remaining sheep. Then, on into the pen.
We didn't see anyone get all of the elements completed in the 12 minute time limit, but apparently Dennis Gellings and his dog Jan did. We left before all the dogs had competed though.
Unfortunately, Penny didn't have the greatest day with Quill and Moss. On the fetch Quill wouldn't take the commands, and seemed to be a little off, not running at his usual speed, so Penny stopped the run.

Penny and Quill, waiting their turn.

And with Moss, he got a little frustrated with the sheep and gripped- an automatic disqualification.

Here are some of the competitors:

Gayle and her dog Meg at the pen.

Tuck trying hard to turn the sheep, who were determined not to go in the pen.

Maid on the fetch heading for the handler, Glen.

Joanne and Mik, who were successful in penning this bunch.

Mik cooling off in the water tub after his run- well done, Mik!

Dennis's second dog, Jake, bringing them in for the split.

Chris and her dog Jill working the split.

Joanne and her second dog, Soot, at the pen. Here is why he is named Soot:

His face looks like it's covered in soot. Doesn't he have the longest tongue!

Moss waiting his turn....

and Moss going in for the grip.

All in all we really enjoyed watching. Janice is planning on going again, as the competition is on until Sunday, so check her blog for more photos. I'm not sure if I can make it back there, but I'm sure glad I went and plan on voulunteering the next time the show is held there. Such a beautiful place!

The sheep wagon set up for the judge, Mr. Faansie Basson from South Africa.

Once again.... the beautiful view.

Bubby's Story: August 2008-August 2011

This story starts at a horse auction, the September long weekend of 2008. My husband and I were on a camping tour and stopped at Innisfail to watch the auction. There was a box of kittens looking for homes, and Jack Daines, the auctioneer, boomed out that no one was going home until all the kittens were taken. Ted had sent me to the concession, and I came back with a kitten. He shook his head-No! So I put it back and picked out another one. Once again- No! Then he sent me to the concession again, and I picked out a third kitten. Well, this time he took one look, and said, "Oh all right!"

This is what captivated him:

We originally named him Jack, after the persistent auctioneer. Over time, as he grew...and grew... and grew... (he topped out at 17 pounds) he got called Mr. Chubs, which became Chubby Bubby, and eventually Bubby which became his name. As well as Lumpster, Fat Man, etc.

He was fearless around the horses, he'd follow us out to the pasture, and would even lay on the horse's back.

He travelled well, as we moved around from place to place he adapted quite well.12 different places, to be exact.

His favorite place to lay and relax was on Ted's belly; whenever Ted lay on the couch to watch TV it was certain that within minutes, Bubby would claim his spot- and shortly after, they'd both be asleep!

Over the last year, he started losing weight, and it was plain that his body was shutting down.

Today, I laid him to rest, beneath the willow tree on the west side of Beamer's pen; in line with the setting sun.

He will be missed.

A Dog Day Tomorrow

Tomorrow, I'm heading over to Cranbrook to watch the Canadian Stock Dog Championship trials. Both Quill (Tess's sire) and Moss (the sire of Tess's pups including Janice's dog, Kali- and 9 others!) will be shown tomorrow, and Moss again on Friday. I'll have to leave all my dogs at home, they won't be too happy about that.  It's pretty hot here this week, over 90 degrees most days with enough humidity that you sweat sitting still. I bet they'll have lots of pools of water for the working dogs to cool out in. I'll take both of my cameras and spare batteries!
Took Tess and Sammi to Bonner's Ferry vet for their shots, so they are up to date. We found two fleas on Tess's head I'm betting she picked them up at the vet's office because they were the only two we found; none on Sammi and none on Reba - I checked her right away when I got home. Nonetheless, I purchased flea meds and treated all three of them just in case- as well as washing all their bedding immediately.

I love the three different expressions in this photo.
Tess- loving look, just waiting to see what I want her to do next.
Reba- gazing longingly at the corral, impatient to "work"
Sammi- very intent and ready to spring into action- any action!

Wordless Wednesday

The matriarch

Coyote Belle....

The older she gets, the more she looks like a buckskin- a sooty buckskin. Her sire, Durable Shine, is a sooty buckskin, very similar in color to this. She sure has turned out to be a good broodmare for us.

Her first foal, Sparkle N Peppy, now known as Jazz and living with Janice over at
Own a Morgan blog.

Her second foal, Midnight Coyote, known as Kai, smoky black gelding who lives only

 a few miles away from us. 

And of course, our lovely Diamond Rio Peppy. 

So, the news is, that we have taken Rio off the market for now. Ted has fallen in love with him and thinks we should keep him a little longer- which is just fine with me. I get to enjoy this handsome fellow, and continue teaching him all the baby steps in becoming a good, useful horse.

Umm, Rio- pay attention! I'm talking about you! Stop  looking like a contortionist!

Looks like he gets to be my heart horse for a while. Works for me.

And... Belle is in foal again. Can't wait to see next year's foal!