By the Light of the Moon

The days keep getting shorter and shorter. I'm finding it harder and harder to get all my chores done before darkness sets in. I'm afraid I'm going to have to change my work schedule soon so that I can actaully do some chores in the daylight.

I'm finding I'm doing most of my chores by the light of the moon. All morning chores are done with the yard light and moon, if it's present. Evening chores I still have the sunset glow up until about 8:30pm. After that I better hope that darn yard light either comes on or I can get it turned on. I realized last night, I couldn't even tell what color certain things were because it was so dark out. I am getting in earlier at night but there's still so much to be done.

Last night I decided I would move the pony pasture. I think they could have handled another day or two in that spot. But they'd been grazing on that part of the lawn for four days. The good grass was eaten down to the dirt and the other grass I guess is less tasty than others. So I decided I would sacrifice some of the new mare pasture (if it ever gets done) to the ponies. No sense in letting good grass go to waste because we can't get the fencing done.

I decided after the pony pasture was set up to take the pups for a walk. Farley and Gypsy are turning into really good dogs after I take them for a walk. They like sticking around the place instead of wandering off to investigate.

Farley decided that once dark set in to stay right by my side. There was a storm coming. It was pretty far off but by the reaction I got from Farley I figured it was going to be a doozy!

I pulled Zeke out to let him walk around and stretch his legs. He had his nose to the ground smelling everything. I've had the ponies in the grass everywhere Zeke went so I'm guessing Zeke was smelling out the ponies. I thought I had a hound dog at the end of the lead rope instead of an arabian. He was a bit skittish but I'm guessing it was because of the pending storm and finally getting out. I want to take it slow with him to not stress him out. I'm hoping to spend some more time with him outside of that drylot.

I had to wait for Bob, Sam, and King to polish off their grain and then I decided I would bring the mares in to the barn. I don't have any open fronts for the girls to get out of the bad weather. The weatherman was talking a 40% chance of rain and if a storm would blow through, it would be bad (strong winds, downpour of rain, and possibly hail). I didn't want to risk my girls getting soaked and cold so I decided to stall the mares.

Babe and Queen weren't fond of having to wait for the evening grain but I think once they were in the barn with a dish full of grain they didn't care. I'm a bit worried. This morning Queen was really stiff. Stalling her on concerete with straw is too hard on her arthritic legs. I need to go to TSC and see what types of joint supplements I can use on her. Queen also didn't really touch much of her hay. Babe on the other hand polished off every bit of hay and grain. This morning she was facing the wall. I find it odd that she will put her face to the wall and just stand there. I guess maybe that's her starting off point so she doesn't get lost when she wakes up from a nap. Poor girl.

This morning chores were a bit hectic. Good thing I woke up early. I had to put Queen and Babe back into their pasture. Queen was all stocked up so it took a bit to get her back to her pasture. Babe, as always tromped along with no problems whatsoever.

I threw some hay to Maverick, who eats every whisp of hay possible. He's a good boy and always "cleans his plate". I wish all the horses would eat everything like he does. Although he does eat a lot! I've never seen a horse eat as much as Maverick.

I threw some hay to Zeke. He is always excited to get food. Like every other arabian I've owned, Zeke tosses his head. Toss or flip, it sort of depends on how you look at it. But I wasn't surprised when I saw him toss his head. I thought it was sort of cute. Ace used to toss his head when he felt good. Rain tosses his head when he feels good. Zeke tosses his head when I bring him food.

After Zeke's morning chores I had to halter up the ponies in the barn and lead them out to their new pasture. I was a bit worried that it wouldn't go well. They haven't been in this part of the yard before so who knows how they will react. I wish the yard light could shine over to that part of the yard. I had to get the fence secure and the electric fencer turned on in the dark. Luckily the skies were clear so I could do some of the chores by the light of the stars. I'm not sure if the moon was out this morning or not.

I miss watching the sun rise while doing chores. But I guess I get to enjoy the predawn morning show while driving to work instead.

Not sure what the plans are for tonight. I'd really like to ride Maverick tonight and mess with Zeke. We'll see how far I get before the darnkess sets in again. I sort of wish I could have the red shed so I could start riding indoors. Maybe some day I'll get my indoor riding arena (although like that would get me more motivated to ride.) I am just happy messing with the horses. But I really do need to fiddle around with Maverick. I haven't ridden him since last Friday and that was at a slow walk because his drylot was muddy and greasy. I need to figure out some type of riding schedule/regime so that when I go to ride him we can actually focus on something besides just riding around in serpentines in his drylot.

Maybe tonight I'll groom Zeke down and try my saddle on him. We'll see though. I may just be happy grooming him down and letting him graze and get used to me. I've had Zeke now for five days and I really don't know that much about him. Other commitments keep forcing me to spend my attention elsewhere.