Pony Pasture

Not much excitement going on lately. I moved the ponies to a different portion of the lawn. I decided I’d try my luck at their “lawn” pasture just north of the dog pen and chicken coop. This way it might be easier to do some fencing later if the grass is all eaten down. The grass is so tall in that area that I couldn’t even see Skippy or Tommy at one point.

There’s still plenty of grass for them to eat but they’ve taken to eating the thistles, of course! They seemed to like it over there although I needed to move them back to their pen earlier than normal because of the mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are always so bad over there. I’m hoping that once they tromp the grass down the mosquitoes won’t be as bad.

On Monday I also walked the fence line where we need to put in the new fence. I pulled up all the barbed wire so that I could at least find it. I was planning on going back last night to start pulling it all out but I was too exhausted from work. The heat is also taking its toll. I’m not sure how the horses are handling the heat.

On Monday I pulled Rain and Chaos out and hosed them down. I pulled Brego out and gave him a wet grooming. I didn’t want to try the hose on him. He wasn’t fond of the wet brush either. It’s going to take awhile to get him used to the cool water brush. I wanted to pull Dude out but he’d already headed back to the pasture so I didn’t mess with him.

I’ve been putting Bob’s fly sheet on to help with the flies and to reflect some of the heat off of him instead of have him soak up all the heat. It seems to help. I’m afraid he’s going to have a heart attack. He has been spending a lot of time in the leanto off the barn. I need to get a fan set up in the barn while he eats and out in the leanto so that there is some air moving around.

Tuesday we had a really bad storm roll through while we were at work. Mike raced home to shut windows and check on the horses. Everyone was fine. I was a bit worried about the ponies. They are in their “lawn pasture” with only one strand of electric and I don’t want them to escape. Mike checked on them. Only the solar fencer was knocked down , the rest was standing nicely.

Last night when I went to put the ponies back in, I decided I would just let Skippy run while I led Tommy back to the night pen. Skippy is so attached to Tommy I figured he’d follow without any problems. I was wrong! Skippy trotted off and disappeared as quick as could be. So I put Tommy away and headed to the pasture but I didn’t see any trail through the tall grass. I headed to the hay shed and found Skippy munching on alfalfa. I figured that’s where he’d head. I need to get that alfalfa out of there in case Skippy does break loose when I’m not around. A mini and a free for all on alfalfa is not a good combination.

This morning we had another storm roll through. It was pretty quick. About the time I wanted to do chores the skies opened up and poured. I decided I would wait it out. Lucky for me it was a fast moving storm so I didn’t miss any work. But I decided that with the amount of rain and wind we got with the morning storm and the previous day’s storm, that I wouldn’t risk putting the ponies back in their small pasture. I figured that another storm would blow through and knock the fence down (since I didn’t walk the fence last night). So instead, the ponies are stuck in their muddy night pen all day until I get home.

So that’s the excitement of the last two days.

I’ve also been torturing myself over bringing another horse into the rescue. Earlier this spring mom and dad said Queen wasn’t doing so well. So I started putting out feelers to see if there was another mare that could take over watching Babe. And of course, I found one.

About a month ago someone posted on Kelo for free a Standardbred mare, about 15 years old that would be companion only. I don’t want that young of a companion only but thought I would ask anyway. I’ve been talking with the lady and know the history of the mare. It sounds like the mare would be a good match for Babe. And with me having to move Babe to a few different pastures this year I need a horse that will look out for Babe. Queen isn’t really the best babysitter for other horses. So this mare would be perfect since she’s the mothering type. The problem is, she’s only 15 and I’ll be feeding her for the next 15 years and all she’ll be doing is eating and pooping. Granted that is what a retirement home is for but 15 years of feeding hay and that’s it. I could rescue an old horse from an auction with an unknown future.

Problem is, the only other person who showed any interest was a scummy horse trader who was looking to make a quick buck off this mare. There really isn’t’ any other option for this horse other than euthanasia which I believe the owner would do because it’s the right thing to do. But really, is it necessary to put down a healthy horse if she’s a good babysitter? But Babe is 27, how much longer will she be around? And how long will Queen be around? Do they need a babysitter? Babe could really use one though. I’ve seen her get lost in the drylot and it breaks my heart. So maybe this other mare would do Babe some good.

And wouldn’t it be fitting for me to get another mare about this time of year. Last year Babe came to live at Borderlands (June 16). The year before, Blondie came to live at Borderlands July 1st. The problem is I’ve been agonizing over it for the past few weeks and I need to make a decision asap. The lady is actually boarding this mare and has decided that at the end of June is the last that she’ll pay for this mare.

So I guess I’m bringing another mare home. The problem now is getting the fencing done. The girls aren’t home yet because we haven’t gotten to the fencing. I guess I’ll throw up a couple corral panels by Maverick and put her in the trees and grass between the red shed and hay shed. That should last about a week. Maybe if it ever stops raining we could do some fencing.

It’s rained almost every day this past month. It’s been a crazy summer so far. I’ve not yet adjusted to the heat. I don’t believe the horses have either.

Once I send the email to the lady about the standardbred mare, I’ll post her information. I’ve been talking with the lady and don’t even know the mare’s name! Sheesh I need to stop bringing them home for awhile. Tommy and Skippy – February 4th, Sam – April 26th.. and now it’ll be this standardbred mare this weekend! Every other month! CRAZY! I need to be in search of more hay!