Gussie

 Yesterday was the day for Gussie, but first I want to show you what sleep deprivation looks like.  The head sinks quickly to the ground, and the front legs buckle while the hind legs remain locked like they are supposed to. Then the horse wakes up. Well, Gussie has taken it a step further. 

My apologies for the quality of the video, it was taken from my dining room window. In it, she is standing on a slope, and falls into REM sleep while standing. She rocked back and the front legs didn't buckle but stretched out as her head and chest went to the ground. I thought for sure she would fall over but she didn't. 

If anyone has any leads on anti anxiety supplements that could help, let me know! I have black cumin seed oil and passionfruit oil that are supposed to be calming but not sure how much to give and if they are safe for pregnant mares . Because....

She got to meet Leo yesterday, and lets just say she was interested.....

And apparently in full blown heat! The old boy (he is 25) did his job very quickly and got a really good cover. I should be able to bring her home in just a few days, then at day 14 have her checked for twins. 

Gussie is also a nervous hauler. as soon as she loaded she was shaking and sweating. When we got to the stud's farm, just over an hour drive, she was drenched in sweat. I think she worries that she is going away and never coming back to her herd, since that has happened several times in her life. It will be interesting to see how she does on her way back home. Silly old girl, wish I could just tell her she isn't going anywhere any more. 

A Drifter day

Yesterday started out rainy. I loaded up Drifter and Gussie (Drifter loaded perfectly, Gussie had to pout about it for a couple of minutes) and headed to the little local indoor arena. When I unloaded Drifter I tied him to the left side of the trailer and then Gussie got tied to the right side.... well that didn't sit well with Drifter, he couldn't see his buddy! So he started backing up trying to see where she was and ended up pulling enough to stretch his new rope halter enough that it slipped off his head. Oh darn. Now I have a loose horse in an unfamiliar-to-him place! But he was a good boy and stayed by Gussie as I retrieved his halter and put it back on him. I guess I have to take that halter apart and rebuild it, you can see how much he stretched it out:

That bottom knot should be an inch below his chin

Which brings me to a side rant about how hard it is to get good rope around here for making halters! That is Atwood rope and I do pre-stretch it but obviously I didn't stretch that one enough. Best rope is used climbing rope as it has been stretched out and it really holds its shape. If anyone knows of a good online source for rope please let me know!

Anyway, back to Drifter. I led him around the arena both ways and let him look at all the sights and listen to all the sounds. There were a couple of horses who came up to the arena opening to check him out.

I was really happy with his behaviour, he just looked and didn't call or try to get to them. He was also well behaved on the longe line, no bucking or trying to run away.  So this trip was good because it pointed out what I need to work on with him, and that is standing tied. I have a different halter I will use for that!

Later the afternoon turned gorgeous with sunshine so I decided it was a good day to take some new photos (Imagine that!) The forecast is for above freezing temperatures for the next week, so I took Beamer's winter blanket off, unless it turns cold again he can keep it off.

All the horses are looking good. 

Drifter is such a busy body, always up to something.  He thought it was a good idea to try to herd mama Belle, but she had something to say about that!

Those mares are doing a good job of educating him in herd manners. 

I am looking for a 1 year breeding lease on another mare for Beamer. I don't have enough room for another permanent resident here if I keep Belle's foal this year (if it's a filly!) and would like to try a different bloodline on Beamer. Looking for running bloodlines. Gives me something to do as winter drags on!