Critters

 We have new pests err critters hanging out here. 

They have decided that they will clean up the bits of suet that the birds drop from the feeder and are using Ted's Jeep as a vantage point. They are quite entertaining but Thumper doesn't think so. 

We will have to make sure they can't get into the bird feeder that we will be putting back up soon. 

We had a spectacular sunset last night...

 

And a Chinook arch this morning. 

Dally is looking pregnant finally, and still is not getting winter hair.

 The other three have good thick coats coming in. 

Tuffy has curls!

I am making progress with Leo's feet; I have his fronts rasped and can clean his hinds. I will likely be able to rasp them tomorrow. 

One of the kittens is getting brave enough to show itself  but not for long before it scurries back under the bales.  I have decided to keep them as they are both male and I am getting too many mice in the barn. They can earn their keep. 

First a little paw ...

Then he peeks out

This one I have named Mr. Smith, the other one is Mr. Jones. They are 6 weeks old now. 

He is here!

 Leo was delivered this morning! I had the foal pen all prepped for him, and put Tuffy in with him at first. 

They got along ok at first, but Leo was a bit much for Tuffy: he was pacing non stop and calling out. Disturbed Tuffy's peace! So I put Tuffy back with the mares until Leo eventually calmed down. 

Pacing... that square on his shoulder is where the breeders freeze branded him

Calling...

Pacing....

I put hay for the mares close to the foal pen and locked them out of the pasture so they would be close to the boys.  This afternoon, Tuffy went back in with Leo and they got along much better since Leo calmed down. 

Leo is not halter broke yet so that will be where I will start with him. One day at a time, with day one being to see if I can touch him. 

Ah that's the spot! 

Butt scratches are always a good place to start.

He let me move up his back and eventually around his head and poll.

Good boy, Leo!

They got along much better. 

There is quite a size difference! 

Tuffy is 5 weeks older than Leo. They are both growing in their winter fur. They will have access to the barn, foal ration twice a day and and all the hay they can eat. Leo hasn't quite figured out the foal ration but he will. 

Dally is quite attentive to him, she seems to love foals so I hope when she has her own she will be a good mama.

Here is hoping they have a good night!

Winter pasture

 My handy niece and her partner came out last weekend to help out us old folks get our winter pasture set up. We had to remove the bottom strand of hot tape that had gotten beat up with all the storms and replace it with new tape. All 700 ft. of it. There was a lot of swamp grass grown up over 6 ft. tall along one section that we had to stomp down and drive over to flatten; the weed whacker was not powerful enough to remove it all. We got it done! The horses were happy to get turned out on that 15 acres, as their grazing pens were getting a bit low. Velvet has been on the 15 before, so she led the way through the 4 ft. gate and the others followed. Room to run, you would think, but eating was more important! They did do a bit of zooming the first day and they still have access to their auto waterer and shelter, so when the bugs get to be too much, or if a rain storm comes along, they lope on back to the shelter. 

Tuffy did lose a bit of weight at weaning but it is coming back. 

Took the Nikon out today and tried for some decent photos. 

Normally I would edit a bit, but my old computer is having a moment and won't let me so these are straight out of the camera. 

Velvet, who was first out, went off to the far end, (can you see her?) while Tuffy and Dally stayed closer to the entrance. 

Those weeds are Canada Thistle and stinging nettle, both of which horses will eat in moderation. We have plans to spray this field next spring. 

Dally wandered off to see what Velvet was eating, and Tuffy stayed munching on his patch. 

He was keeping an eye on them, but when they went out of sight, he galloped up to the corner, whinnying and they came a-running at his call.... good mares!

This will be their winter pasture, at least until the snow starts covering the hotwire tape which is about 2 ft. off the ground for the bottom strand. 

Once the Leo colt gets here in a few days, he will be penned up with Tuffy so they can buddy up and be friends before I turn them out together to pasture with the mares. Can't wait!

Wild weather

 The start of summer has been a bit tumultuous around here. Starting with a Monsoon season then turning into multiple warnings for severe thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes.  None of which hit here! 

A tornado did touch down at Rocky Mountain House, which is a 45 minute drive west of us. The clouds that day were quite ominous from our vantage point. 

All is well that ends well though!  The system moved off to the north east of us. What we did get was very strong north wind about an hour later, I thought for sure we would lose some trees, in fact I could hear a tall old spruce tree cracking as I was watching out of our only north facing window in the bathroom. Thought for sure that old giant was going to come down, but it stood strong. 

Now we have rain and smoke.... always something!  But at least it has cooled off. 

We have a lot of cliff swallows that have congregated here- they are very welcome because ever since they arrived, the mosquito population has been decimated- yay! 

This is just a very few of them, the rest were reeling around the sky snacking on bugs. 

My flower gardens are thriving, this is my Jacmani clematis which last year had only a handful of flowers. 

The veggie garden is yielding carrots and peas now  and the potato plants are flowering. That is actually all I planted this year, I still have enough green beans in the freezer from last year. I did plant a tomato that I picked up for 3 bucks, it may or may not have fruit before frost time. 

Tuffy is growing and thriving too! 

Thumper intrigues him. 

Today was vet day, Happy came up open, no foal, so come mid August she will go live with Shayla and I will wean Tuffy early. Vet said wait and see until after weaning on how his hernia is, we hope it will close on its own. 

Meanwhile, the little herd gets to enjoy summer. I will wait until end of August to start working with Dally. 

A Day In The Life Of Tuffy

 The mornings are peaceful, every morning they are laying down, sometimes with one standing guard but not today. 

Then it is chow time....

The pastures are amazing right now with all the rain we continue to have. 

While the mares get fed, Tuffy gets haltered for his daily lesson. Progress report: leads well, lets me pick up his feet and place them on the ground myself, and is learning to go past me on the lead line (precursor to many things like lunging, trailer loading, obstacles etc.) When I hold a bit of pressure on the lead rope, he thinks about it for a moment then steps forward, precursor to standing tied. 

Then back out on the pasture to find the tallest grass so he doesn't have to bend those long legs so much. 

Walking is fine, but....

zooming is more fun!

It is always better to see if one can get in trouble.... (those ears tell the tale!)

Trouble found! 

Of course, if I am in the pasture it means obligatory rump skritches!

 

Poor Velvet, she  puts up with a lot of pestering from him but she is a very good nanny and never reprimands him. 

She just walks away and hopes he finds another distraction. 

One can scratch oneself...

Or get a little help from a friend. 

He hunts me down, knowing that I will give him lots of attention. 

I love this colt,  he has the best personality and is so very easy to work with. At 5 weeks old today, I am so pleased with his progress and he sure is easy to look at!