trim notes for the end of winter

Our trimmer arrived at 8:30 this a.m. and since it was so cold I'd gone out early to feed breakfast tubs in hopes that everyone would be warmer as a result. I think it helps that they are not waiting for breakfast while being trimmed!

The geldings went first, and then the pony. This six weeks I not only touched up Keil Bay's hooves but I also did Cody's. So far I am making some positive difference. No one is getting long and ragged between trim times. All three had huge amounts of wall growth, and considering the wet winter we're having, they are all hanging in there wrt thrush/yeast. I have a feeling the diet balancing is going to do away with that issue once and for all. Should know by the first trim of the summer if that's indeed true.

Salina was next after the geldings, and we opted to do her trim in the little barnyard, in the warm sunshine. At one point B. was doing her hind hoof, and Rafer Johnson was behind him, resting his donkey head on B's shoulder, while Redford was in front of him, resting HIS donkey head on the other shoulder. We all got the giggles at the idea of donkeys that refuse to be caught for trimming. Ours will not leave B. alone - they get as close to him as they can, and seem to consider it a privilege to have a turn.

When trimming Rafer Johnson, B. said "if you could put what you've done with this boy in a bottle people would pay a thousand dollars for it." Rafer was standing quietly, relaxed and snorting with donkey happiness. It was a meditation in contentment. After all he went through with his broken leg, it makes me very happy to see that Rafer is so at ease with having his feet and legs handled. We tried hard to make that experience one that would have no lasting effects, and I think we have succeeded.

And I can't say enough about how much B. adds to everything we do. His demeanor is always calm and easy, he wants the process to be positive for the equines, and he goes out of his way to do things that attend to their comfort. It is not uncommon in our barn to see the horses drop their heads to lick and chew while B. is trimming. We're so grateful for that.

Redford was waiting for his turn and he too stood quietly. He was not quite as relaxed as Rafer, but you could see he was trying hard to be. Salina stood and nickered to let them know she was there, almost as if she were being an encouraging mother.

Overall, everyone is doing well and we are hopeful that when B. returns the beginning of April we might have some warmer weather!

My daughter and I came inside for cocoa and pumpkin cake. I am still not completely thawed out, but am getting there.

busy weekend

On Friday, my daughter and husband set forth on a little excursion to a Pony Club Quiz Rally, where regional PC teams exhibited their knowledge in a variety of ways - written and oral questions, stations where they did hands-on tests, a barn phase, etc.

My husband and daughter are 2/3 of my equine care "team" - so with both of them gone, I knew it would be a busy couple of days. Fortunately, my son is very horse-savvy, having ridden and handled horses from age 7-13, and he is more than capable of doing anything that needs to be done with our herd. He pitched in and made my work tremendously easier, and we treated ourselves to dinner out on Friday night, which was very nice.

We learned that he is very gifted at managing the resident equine goddess, Salina. And I was intrigued by the fact that of my family members, the teen-aged son is the least likely to question my "way of doing things." Who would have imagined *that*?

We also learned that the pony much prefers his girl to do his daily care!

Keil Bay did a very nice thing yesterday, and while I wasn't surprised, I want to share it so I can take the extra opportunity to appreciate what a fine horse he is. I was picking his hooves in the paddock, sans halter or lead rope, and I was talking to my son at the same time. Somehow, I inadvertently gestured with the hand holding the pick, and the pick flew up under Keil Bay just as I released his hind hoof. It didn't occur to me not to just lean up under him, from behind, to grab the pick. Had he put his hoof down at that moment, it would have conked me right in the head, so he held it up, and actually drew it up close to his body to give me more room down there.

It wasn't until after I got the pick and stood upright that I realized he had his entire hind leg drawn up and was holding it that way until he made sure I wasn't beneath him.

Such a good horse!

Late in the afternoon yesterday my son and I decided to make a run to the store. When we were in the parking lot getting ready to come home, I had a little premonition. And when we got back home, I found that my daughter had called to share a little news.

Her team won their division in the Regional Quiz Rally! Congratulations, girls!

the rest of the birthday

Redford's birthday cast a magical spell on November Hill this afternoon. While I was riding Keil Bay, we were doing some very focused, good work, and all of a sudden I looked up and there was a colony of at least 20 vultures pinwheeling overhead like a kaleidoscope, quite low, as if they were dancing with the Big Bay and me.

After our ride, I went in the back field in search of donkeys and some birthday photos. The magic continued!

Redford played peek-a-boo, and then someone joined the party:









Then the two love buns decided they would pose for me. Look at the handsome boys! They are absolutely amazing. Happy Birthday, Redford! Rafer is fine with the fact that he has a second birthday coming up mid-summer, and we will celebrate again.

we celebrate a birthday

Redford, our amazing flying miniature donkey, is ONE today! He will be getting the usual special birthday breakfast, lots of extra hugs, and photos will likely appear here as the day rolls on.

We had a nice rain yesterday, but today, the sun has returned, temps will rise to the 50s, and my guess is that much of his special day will be spent basking in the warmth with his herd.

Happy birthday little Redford!! We will never forget that you came at a moment's notice to lift Rafer Johnson's spirits when he needed it, and we will especially never forget you sailing over the wall into his stall to be closer to him.

You're our superstar, and we love you.

*******

And on another, but very fitting note, Rafer's birthday post marks my 500th post here on camera-obscura! I started this blog mostly for photographs, but have ended up writing quite a bit on a regular basis, and have made some wonderful cyber-friends.

what a great company!

When I checked email a few minutes ago, I found a comment in response to an older post in which I had praised Salina's Whinny Warmers. These equine leg warmers have been a great help in keeping her arthritic knees comfortable on the cold nights and days we've had this winter.

This was the comment:

Dear Billie, Please call us at Sox For Horses, Inc.
We want to thank you for writing about us by donating some socks to your favorite horse rescue effort.
or drop me a note at info@whinnywarmers.com
and we will donate socks in your name.

Salina looks very cozy and quite nice in blue.

Warmest Regards, and Thanks!
Raymond Petterson- President


I wanted to post this so that everyone sees it - I love finding great products at good prices but when the company is this nice it's even better.

I've contacted a local rescue group and Mr. Petterson, and am happy some more horses will have warmer nights thanks to Whinny Warmers.