Hard Times with Horses

And no - the title of this blog post doesn't refer to the fact that hay is at an EXTREMELY OUTRAGEOUS cost right now in addition to there being basically none anywhere in sight either. But, I digress.

Everyone whose read this blog for any period of time knows my Gypsy Girl.

She is a 27 year Appaloosa Mare that I rescued in 2005. I also learned a lot of firsts riding her. And for that matter, taught a handful of others a lot of their 'firsts' riding her as well!

Now a days, Gypsy is just living the golden life. Retired, soaking up treats and love and loving when my nieces and nephews come to visit.

You might recall the heart attack, stroke and nine grays hairs she gave me about this time last year.

Well - she gone and did it again! This mare - I tell ya!

So prepare yourself. I will try to not get too long winded with this story, but that hope is doubtful. And I am going to be brutally honest, too.

About a week ago, we woke up the find Gypsy hanging out in the yard. Seems she kicked her stall door continually until she busted the lock open. She's done this before so I wasn't shocked. She doesn't stray far from the herd either, so I wasn't too worried. She camped out by Romeo, the pony, all night. However, I noticed her shoulder was a little knicked up...adn then, she tried to walk. And it wasn't happening. *ugh* [enter pit in stomach]

Have you ever heard the saying, 'No Hoof, No Horse?' Well, the same is pretty much true with a horses leg too! One cannot surive on three legs with the amount of weight they have to support. Since this was a week day and I had to get to work, I checked her over, rubbed her down with some linament, left her in the barn, contained, so she could roam the aisle, and hoped she would work out the quirk by the time I got home. No such luck. She was extremely stiff on her front right leg and could barely walk.

So over the next few days, I treated her with linaments and some medicine for pain as I monitored her and tried to determine what the problem was. I had two guesses - my current farrier is a fool and trimmed her hooves wrong or she did something to her knicked up shoulder when she escaped the other night.

Monday evening I had second farrier (who comes highly recommend and is way booked up but luckily he lives close and fit us in since it was kinda of an emergency) come out and check her over. He agreed. it wasn't her hoof - it was something with her shoulder.

Now - there are a few problems with this.

1. This area can be hard to detect a bruise, fracture or break with an x-ray.

2. She'd need to be trailered to a specility hospital if we even wanted to give it a try. After all those expenses, the chances of an exact disagnoses were still slim.

Gypsy doesn't trailer well. And futhermore, she is 27 years old. I am pretty sure she didn't break it because she wouldn't be walking AT All. I decided I would continue to monitor her and see what happens. Some may call this neglectful, but you know what? I am going to toot my own horn for once. I don't proclaim to be an expert with horses by any mean whatsoever! But, I have had plenty of experiences in my years of rescue to feel comfortable enough in my knowledge, and the knowledge of the horse people around me, to know I can make a decision on what is best for Gypsy. I can recognize when she is suffering and make a decsion should it need to be made, albeit a hard decision not to be taken lightly.

So, for the next two days she seemed a tad better but not 100%. I was giving her free range to roam where she pleased that way she was getting movement instead of being stuck in a stall until we got home. She doesn't go far from her heard and she wasn't walking too well anyways so I wasn't worried about her wandering off. Then, yesterday I get a text from my neighbor as I am on my way home that she wandered into their yard. I guess she was feeling better!

When I got home and went to put her and Apollo out back in the pasture, she actaully surpassed Apollo and I and got back their first. Clearly she was feeling better, though I could still see she asn't walking 100%. When my hubby and I arrived back again with Daisy & Romeo, we noticed her and Apollo were rolling - nothing unusual. And I knew that was a good sign that she even went down to roll. But then, she couldn't get back up. And my second stroke, heart attack, and 24 more gray hairs happened.




Gypsy & Hubby

 Over the next 90 minutes or so, my hubby and I worked to help her get back on her feet. All while in the company of our 17 month old who did no less than climb to the top of the pasture gate inducing my third heart attack, and then playfully occupy himself by standing IN the water trough having a gay old time splashing around and beating the snot out of the water with a stick. Occassionaly he'd examine a few manure piles too :) At one point, while hubby and I were both attempting to help Gypsy get up, he started yelling and whimpering - I assume he was confused as to what was going on and knew something wasn't right. I don't know if you have ever had experience trying to help a 1,000 pound animal to their feet, but it isn't quite as gentle as helping a dog. A young kiddo watching could be easily confused!

At one point, I honestly thought she passed on her own and my heart broke. I thought to myself, she is such a good horse she even made that decision an easy one for me by letting herself go on her own. But, not yet. She is the mare of 9 lives, I guess. Because the next thing I know, she was giving it another go trying to get herself up. At one point, hubby was sitting down, indian style, next to her with her head literally in his lap. He was petting her and talking to her. My little one came over to them, sat on the other side of hubbys lap and petted Gypsy too, while he spoke his gibberish to her. My heart broke. BROKE people! I am hormonal as it is and this was all too much! This is something you see in a movie. Not in your own backyard. But then again, that is just how special this horse is. I met her when she was 19 - she taught me lots - and now my son was sitting beside her petting her while she didn't feel well.

And I have long spoke of her love for kids. My nephew once walk right underneath her quicker than I could realize what he was doing. Very, very dangerous. But, in my heart of hearts, I know she knew he shouldn't have done that and she'd stand still until he was safe again. She is just THAT kind of horse. You only get one in a lifetime. And as I stood there, crying, watching my husband and son comfort her, I swear as soon as my little guy caught her attention, she perked up. It gave her another bout of motivation to give it another try. I said to hubby quickly "now! grab her tail!" and just like that we did all we could to assist her in getting up. Gosh darn it if 5 minutes or so later, a horse I thought was gone was standing quietly, looking straight at us with a thank you on her face - this I know.

She was stiff, but she was back on her feet and she wasn't showing signs up distress. These were all good things. So I let them all be in the pasture until 9ish when it was time to come in for the night. She was walking better, but not great. This morning she promptly came right out of the barn into the yard in the morning when Allen opened it up. And she scurried away from me when I came to her with her syringe of applesauce and medicine. These are good signs! Only time will tell, but for now, we take it one day at a time.

A strange stillness dwells in the eye of the horse, a composure that appears to regard the world from a measured distance…It is a gaze from the depths of a dream… -Hans-Heinrich Isenbart

 

It's that time of year...

Grass introductions!

Apollo finds his crack...a clover patch!

My favorite old gal!

Typical Pony - grass is always greener on the other side...

Spring pastures are lush and welcoming in my neck of the woods this time of year so I figured now might be a nice time to refer back to my post on Pasture Maintenance and Spring Grass for your horses.

We don't want any horse bellyaches out there so read up if you aren't sure how long to have your horses out on the spring grass! This will be the 4th spring/summer here on the farm for the big horses and the 3rd for the pony and mini donkey! I'd say, at this point, I tend to be a tad - as in 10-ish more minutes each time - more lenient in their grazing introductions just because they have been around the grass long enough now, throughout the seasons, that their bodies have had time to acclimate. But, none the less, they don't go out on it like gang busters! It is still a process!

Any questions about turning your horses/donkeys/mules/ponies/drafts out on pasture? Feel free to ask!

I Have Experience Raising...Horses

I have some confidence in my knowledge of raising a 'being' from birth - one problem...that 'being' is a horse!

Raising a HUMAN 'being' is uncharted territory for me and so every day is a new learning experience.

Circa June 2007, Newborn Colt Sprite with Hubby & I at H.O.P.E. Horse Rescue.

Horse has the runs? No problem, give 'em some Pepto and monitor their bowel movements.
     Child has the runs? Get out the medical dictionary....

Horse is hungry? Must be feeding time. Throw 'em some hay and grain (or whatever their diet consists of)
     Child is hungry? How old is said child? Are they allergic to anything? Are they to young for solids? For food? Are you out of formula? Did they just drain your boob half hour ago?

Horse needs to burn some energy? Turn 'em out in the pasture if going for a ride isn't an option.
     Child needs to burn some energy? Well, I haven't quite reached that milestone yet! He still cannot walk.

Horse needs to move? Cluck to them as you place pressure /guide them where they need to go.
     Child needs to move? Cluck at them and they stare at you in wonder and amazement....

Horse has done something wrong/unacceptable? Reprimand within 3 seconds and give a stern 'eh-eh'.
     Child is grabbing you cat by the back leg/hanging from a bathroom drawer he pulled out/trying to reach the hot water spicket on the water cooler/eating a leaf at the back door/hanging from the dogs collar.... give a stern 'eh-eh' and I *think* he is catching my drift....

Looks like I have a long ways to go, but if my child learns to speak 'horse', I think we might be ok!

Circa March 2011 - Introducing the newborn babe to the horses!

Happy as...Clams?

No doubt this unseasonably warm weather has been a nice treat for most.

But for the horses, ehhh, not so much.

They are cooped up in the barn.

I am pretty sure they are not estatic about this current situation, but I am also pretty certain, come Summer, if they had no grass to graze on all day, they'd be even less thrilled than they are now!

You see, right now the pastures are mud holes. Putting a 1100# animal out on this results in an even larger mud hole which, in turn, results in ruining the grass. In other words, there will be no grass in the summer if they are allowed to tear up the place now.

So, they hang in the barn. And I must say, for being cooped up, they behaved very nicely while the farrier was over to trim their hooves :)


A strange stillness dwells in the eye of the horse, a composure that appears to regard the world from a measured distance…It is a gaze from the depths of a dream… -Hans-Heinrich Isenbart

Making the Most of

...the last nice days!



The horses made sure to make the most out of what was probably the last nice days of 2012 -- weather-wise, that is -- over the weekend!



Grounding & Dreaming

It's no secret when I need time to destress from the realities of life, I go into my barn :)

Something about burrying yourself in the mane of the horse is so intoxicating.....

Unless you don't care for the smell of a horse, but then, how weird would that be! Who doesn't love the smell of a horse - I digress.....

These horses, I am so lucky to have them in my life. In my backyard.

I am so lucky that they understand the time constraints I am now under, being a new mom.

But when I do have the time to smother myself into them, they soak up every second.

Last night was one of those nights.

The mini's wanted none of it actually - they were more content with their hay. Apollo could have taken it or left it, and as I attempted to spend some QT time with him, this beauty anxiously awaited her turn! She is so obvious - she just LOVES to be loved.

Look at those kind eyes. If you have read Linda Tellington Jone's book, Getting in Touch, you would be able to read so much about Gypsy just by this picture. And if you haven't read it, and you are a horse person, I highly suggest you do!

There is something so grounding about being with my horses, yet so magical.

Horses allow you to pursue your dreams. Reading that just now makes no sense, but in my head, to me, it does.

I love that my nieces & nephews love the horses. I hope my son does too!

My nephew, Benny, he has a special connection with the horses already. I can see this. And I can't wait to help him progress with it!

I had someone ask me the other day how smart a horse really is. They were honestly just wondering as they had no knowledge of them. I laughed to myself. No matter how much I tried to explain how brilliant they really are, you will never understand until you experience it yourself.

These horses are wonderful creatures. Be still and watch, you will see.



Horses can't talk, but they can speak if you listen.

-Author Unknown

Dumb Comment of the Day

The other day at work there was someone in our office visiting from another system. I don't know him. He seemed like a nice person. We got to talking and a co-worker mentioned how I have horses. To make a long story short, this guy, the one I didn't know, said to me [enter Dumb Comment of the Day]:

"I used to have a horse. She tried to kick my wife. So I had to get rid of her."

He was dead serious. I was dumbfounded...though I know better and shouldn't have been. Really, dude!? REALLY? I could make a year of blog posts giving you reasons why you *think* your horse might have tried to kick, because, let's be honest, he is clearly an idiot in the world of horses and my guess is the horse probably didn't even attempt to kick, but for whatever reason, her action was interpreted that way. Poor horse. Or maybe not. Hopefully she is in a better home now with someone who KNOWS horses. Cripe!

Anyways, the next day, this article came to my attention by way of the Fugly Horse blog - and I.LOVE.IT. This guy couldn't have said it any better or more clear. And I hope, for that horses sake, this woman corrects her mistakes. Dang - people are so aggravating.

Article can be found here. Take the time to read it if you have horses, want horses, have ever considered owning or horse, or just plain ol' want to be better educated about horses in general. Actually, the underlying concept here can be applied to any pet I bet!

Gratefully Blessed Gray Hairs

This is Gypsy.

Gypsy is a 26-ish year old Appaloosa Mare. She came to the horse rescue in the summer of 2005. She was one of the first horses I've ever know to truly steal my heart. I even met her before I met my white knight! I learned a lot of the basics with/from Gypsy. I learned to sit my trot on her...which, for those who are reading that have rode Gypsy in the past know, that is no easy feat! She retired from the rescue as an 'educational' horse in the fall of 2008 and came home to live with me. What an honor. I could go on all day about Gypsy. About how sweet her soul is and you can see it as she wears it proudly. She loves the kids, god does she love the kids. She is so patient. Nurturing. She let's you know when she wants some extra TLC because she'll lay her head on your shoulder. And she hates the heat. HATES HATES HATES the heat. And the flies that come with it. She can't stand them. Sometimes she'd rather be in the barn all day, instead of out munching grass, if it means being in front of a fan and less flies.

Last Sunday, Gypsy gave me a heart attack, a stroke, and no less than 9 gray hairs. I won't go into the hour long story, but I found her down in the pasture. I was home alone, it was approx. 500 degrees outside, and the baby was in the house crying inconsolably [which he never does]. So, after 3 hours or so, an emergency vet call, a mad dash from a wonderful friend to be by our side, and hubby grabbing my good bath towels instead of the 'rag' towels*, we got Gypsy back on her feet. And for that, I am ever grateful. I know she is 26. I know she has some arthritis. I know she can't live for ever. Or even long enough [selfish on my part] to be The Babe's 4H partner, but every day she is here with us is one more day I feel blessed.

Gypsy, I love you. We love you.

*Please note hubby truly could have brought me towels hemmed in 24k gold and I would not have care so long as it helped me help Gypsy! I was just sayin'...

Lazy Summer Night

Today we hit the 90's in temperature - OUCH!

It was a lazy day for all the residents of Apolloson Acres!

In the next few days, I am going to cover my herb garden and some goodies and the sadness that is my vegetable garden :/ Stay Tuned!

Farm Photoshoot by Kellie

My sister, Kellie, has been stopping out to the farm to take photos for a college class she is taking. They are turning out JUST AWESOME! So I have to share :)


Savannah
Resident farm manager. Don't mess with her man! For entertainment, she hides on ledges and swipes at you when you walk by and least expect it ;) She only lets Allen pick her up, worm & vaccinate her.....and that is just fine with me!

Ms. Gypsy Rose :)

She is sweet as pie. Gentle and loves kids.

Gypsy and Daisy
Sometimes they are best friends...

Apollo

Need I say much!

My Nephew, Benny, with Gypsy & I

A Pasture Tale

*Disclaimer....2 seconds after this last picture was taken, Gypsy was 'escorted' by yours truly to the other hay pile since Apollo clearly has issues with sharing! *sigh*

All by 7:15am

Well, it's more like 7:31 right now, but when I finally poured my morning cup 'o steaming hot joe, it was 7:15am....and then I thought back to all the things I had already accomplished since I had woke up!

Fed & water 4 horses (ok, so 2 horses, a pony and a mini mule!)

Fed Maggie (indoor cat)

Fed & Supervised the feeding of mama and her 3 kitties. One of the kitties has some territorial issues when eating so I have been setting him off to the side with his own plate. I know, a 3 month old kitten with aggression when eating....who would have thought!

Then, I swept their room up, changed out all newspapered areas and moved on to the BLEACHING of the litter boxes. I bleached their two and Maggie's main one. Maggie gets this done once a month and these little, dirty gremlins have theirs done about every week!

Let me just say there is nothing glamorous about cleaning litter boxes, let alone full out stripping them and bleaching them. *BLEEECH* I will pick up the manure turd that fell over the side of my wheelbarrow ANY DAY over messing with kitty litter and the boxes. Yes, with bare hands.

So, now I finally have my coffee and I am going to sit here and enjoy it for what I hope is at least a whole five minutes.....then the horses need to get out to stretch their legs before it gets too sweltering outside. They are calling for mid-90's today and we have no shade in our pastures right now :/

And, in T-5.5ish hours, all our picnic guest will probably start arriving.....and I still have a bathroom and a kitchen to clean....and a cake to ice.....

I snapped this pic of the neighbors pond yesterday morning.

My Battle with the Bottle

No, not that bottle! I love my wine....there is no battle there ;)

So I have this horse. Her name is Gypsy. Sometimes she can be less than tidy in her stall. And then, sometimes, she'll insist that she stand right where she relieves herself. *sigh* So, needless to say, sometimes I need to treat her 'hoof' that she insists on resting in a 'certain' area when she is in her stall. It isn't often since, pending weather, she is outside and all her other hooves are doing very well. It is just this one hoof. It doesn't like me. It likes to see me sweat trying to get her to lift it. And then it laughs at me. Why?

Because when I FINALLY get it up long enough to pick it [the hoof that is] it isn't too long before Gypsy fights with me to put it down. She is 1100-some pounds; she usually wins. But I persist. I continue to work on getting that dang hoof back up. And just when I do, I grab the 'Thrush Buster'.....and try to squeeze some of the goods in the bottle out.....then, I realize something has clogged the tip. Now understand, what I am about to tell you all took place in about 1 minute and 8 seconds TOPS!

I panic ...ok, not really panic. I try in a fury of all my might to squeeze that dang bottle as hard as I can to blow whatever is clogging the tip because, gosh darn it, I have her hoof back up. I have her hoof up. And I won't have it up for long.

And the next thing I know, I have successfully thrush busted myself. *sigh*

Allen came home from a golf outing and I ran at him with my hand in the air telling him I have a disease. He said "get away because you probably smell like hoof" :/ Dang, can't fool that cowboy!

Note the lovely new french manicure....we do it in brown instead of white out here in the county. Ok, you got me. It is dirt under the nails. What do you expect?

Anyways, the thrush buster actually sprayed onto my face [pics spared] and I had blue specks everywhere. My brother-in-laws reaction was "What the ....." I told him I turned into an alien while they were gone. He might have believed me...but it was probably his beer talking.

And this was my right hand! Good Lord; who knows if Gypsy even got any on her dang hoof!

And to my dear friend Yvonne, who always battles the bottle. I believe I have now trumped you and any war you have ever had....with the bottle ;)

Weekend in Review - Animals in Need

Remember the horse rescue neglect case I mentioned last week? Here are a few pictures of some of the horses we rescued. Sad, Sad, Sad.

This mare is 30-ish years old.

This poor gelding is 8 and that is our barn manager with him.

This is a 5 year old mare on the left and the 8 year old gelding on the right.

Anyone who would like to learn more about this rescue I work [volunteer] with, please visit H.O.P.E. Horse Rescue.

And hubby and I weighed the kittens this weekend. Not quite 2 pounds yet....once they are two pounds, they can be fixed and placed up for adoption. Anyone interested in learning more about the kitten rescue my husband and I foster for can visit Kitten Krazy!

Brrrr...Curl Up With Etsy!

Dang it is C.O.L.D.! .... not that I am complaining! The ground is frozen again and the horses can go out....but their water also freezes not more than 10 minutes after I crack, break and refill their buckets! I guess that's the trade off!

Here is a not-so-great pic of them last night when I went to bring them into the barn. There was a full moon and it looked so cool! I can just hear Apollo going "Hurry UP MOM. It is 5* out and I want my dinner!"


Ok, so for this weeks Etsy finds....

This is becoming increasingly harder as I fall in love with browsing this site more every day! Everyone makes such wonderful things and it is so hard to only pick a few of my favorites every week!

This week, I decided to show some of the bags & totes I love! (Beacuse I need another one like a need another horse or hole in the head!!) I showed one in my first ever Etsy Finds Post that I am still saving up for :) but all these are wonderful too. I want them all! And since I love aprons, I threw in a new one I found & love just for the heck of it!

Enjoy****************


Ok, this first tote is from Handcrafted at Wit's End. Of course I like it because there is a horse on it, but it is also a recycled flour sack- so cool! Love the recycled 'feed' sack totes...LOVE them! This shop also sells local to me at Lehamn's in Kidron. How cool that must be! And this shop is also offering free shipping on orders placed before Valentine's Day!

Next is this messenger bag in toile by Originals by Kathleen I love messenger bags and I love toile prints; what's not for me to like about this one then! LOL :) This shop takes custom orders too!

This next one is super great because she uses recycled HORSE TACK :) LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Shop at Free Rein Designs for these awesome purses! I love the fabric on this one and also the repurposed braided rein for the straps! Ohhhh how cute!

Next is a market tote. How cute would these be to take to farmer's markets with you to hold all your goodies! Funny, I am not a fan of chicken's (long story) but prints with chickens I seem to like? Go Figure. This market tote is from Quirky Bags and they also take custom orders or will find 'the perfect novelty fabric for you'!

To show my Gypsy flare, I love this bag too! It is by VeryOrangeBird and they call it the 'Gypsy Dream Vintage Fabric Tote' - My inner Gypsy is in love!

And last, but certainly not least, is the apron I had to throw in. And SURPRISE, it has a chicken print! I need more aprons about as much as I need more totes and bags....and horses! It is made from a cotton flour sack towel [cool!] by StolenTime As they list it in the description, it is "funky country, stylish and ultilitarin' all at the same time!

Have a Good Weekend All & Stay Warm!