Evening Chores in the Rain

Last night's chores took forever. Anything out of the norm always adds extra time. Everything is soaked and flooded. I knew right away when I got home that I needed to get started on chores ASAP. I'd already had Bob's beet pulp soaked overnight so that it would be ready right away. Unfortunately I must have filled his dish with too much water so I couldn't give him any warm water with his grain and beet pulp. I'm afraid I rushed Bob on his grain.

Sam was right with Bob so I let them both in and grained them. Luckily Sam doesn't have as much and eats quicker. Although I do think he's learned Bob's art of milking it for all it's worth. I felt terrible for rushing him. While Sam was eating I ran to get the mares.

I was able to get Babe first. She has such a thick coat that the water made her look almost like a Curly Horse instead of a Appy. I lead her into the barn to get her out of the wind and rain. I rushed back for Queen and we trotted back to the barn. Mike was a sweetheart and tried to wipe off the worst part of the rain on the mares. Babe was loving it. The mares were rather disgruntled in not getting to right into their stalls. Sam did not want to go back out into that rain and was procrastinating.

While waiting for Sam, I pulled Zeke and Maverick out and tied them in the hay shed. Zeke was standing there shivering and I'm sure he was exhausted from walking around in the mud. Maverick needs the exercise but he's a bit rough on poor Zeke. So into the hay shed they went. Unfortunately the box stalls aren't ready so I had to simply tie them in the shed and wait. I think they were happy to get out of the rain and mud.

I kept checking on all six of the horses. I finally had to kick Sam out so that I could get the mares in. Rushed around to get their warm mash while Bob was still eating his grain. While I was in the house getting warm water, I grabbed Bob's waterproof blanket. I would have just thrown a sheet on but I don't have a big enough sheet that's waterproof. I figured if I couldn't keep him in the barn that I would at least blanket him so he'd stay dry overnight.

I finally had to kick Bob out. I felt like a TERRIBLE horse mom. Bob was rather displeased. He went right into the leanto and didn't once move while I was out doing chores. Luckily Mike was out and helped lead Zeke into the barn. Zeke is really starting to impress everyone. With just small hand movements and even less movement in the halter Zeke would do exactly what Mike had told him to do (even though Mike didn't know he was asking Zeke to do anything). Mike was definatley impressed.

I led Maverick in to the barn. Always at one spot Maverick gets a bit spooky. This time he tossed his head around making me realize that I need to spend more time with him on ground manners. I rushed Maverick in and then rushed Zeke in so that they could dry off.

In between waiting for everyone, I pulled the ponies in to their leanto to munch on hay. I felt bad that I couldn't feed King his medicine but with the rain I figure he'll just have to deal with it.

After finally getting Babe, Queen, Maverick, and Zeke settled in the barn, Tommy and Skippy settled in their leanto, Sam and Bob grained I decided I better check the rest of the herd! King, Sam, Bob, Rain, and Dude were all standing in the leanto. I checked Rain to make sure he wasn't shivering. I think Bob was still mad he was kicked out of the barn. But if I have Bob in the barn I have to have Rain in the barn.

I realized at that point that I was missing a horse. I couldn't find Brego (never mind the fact I'd forgotten that I was missing another horse!) I started thinking the worst so I headed out to the pasture. King and Sam decided to follow. I figured if Brego wasn't up waiting on Sam, something bad must have happened (not remembering that Chaos was still out in the pasture too!)

I barely got into the pasture with Sam right on my heels. Sam started whinnying for Brego and up over the hill comes Brego and Chaos (that's when I realized I'm a bad horse mom and forgot one of my kids!) King had followed along behind and trotted on out to meet Brego and Chaos. And would you believe it, he trotted sound! The medicine and soft ground must really be helping.

So I turned around and headed back through the sloppy mud. Chaos was right behind me (practically in my pocket). As I was more than half way to the big drylot pen I saw something black come out of the grass. Whatever it was started waddling. Then I realized it was a SKUNK!

I started to freak out. I didn't want it to come my way. I was trying to figure out how to get out of its way. Luckily but unluckily it didn't head my way. I did start to yell at it to make sure it didn't come my way and towards the horses. Unfortunately the skunk jumped all the mud puddles and headed right up the drylot towards to haybarn and that's where he went. I was SO upset!

I didn't dare to looking in the haybarn, knowing he might be in there still. I never did smell him although I walked right across his path. It usually happens that when Mike goes in before I do, some varmit decides to show up.

Mike did go out later in the evening to see if the skunk was in the haybarn but he'd already disappeared. I'm sure it's the same skunk that I saw about a month ago and that I sometimes see around the section. I set the trap after I saw the skunk and will keep my fingers crossed that we'll actaully catch the little bugger.

By the time I got in, after two hours of chores, I was completely soaked and a little rattled. At least it's not snow!