We're Almost Done!

We are almost there! We're almost done! Well, at least for the time being.

Sunday was the big fencing day. When we started I didn't think we'd get as far as we did. In an emergency, we could actually use that pasture! YEAH!

During the week Mike finished up the panels so that they were ready for wire. So Sunday late morning Mike, Mom, and I started the serious job of fencing in the east portion of the new pasture. Dad stayed back to work on my second box stall in the hay shed (which I desperately need!)

I must be in better shape than I thought. After pounding in all those steel fence posts, my arms aren't tired. My tendinitic flared up so I had a difficult time holding on to the post pounder but otherwise there are no lasting effects of yesterday's adventure.

We did only put up two strings of wire. I want three strands but figured we should get two strands around the entire perimeter so that later when the mares are already in the pasture we can go back.

The hardest part of fencing yesterday was the north side where we had to fight the shelter belt. Luckily it was a short stretch. The trees are so thick that there's no way a horse could crash through to the fence but I'd never want to even risk the very thought of leaving the old barbed wire up to hold the horses in.

Unfortunately we ran out of clips to keep the wire secure to the fence post. The wire is up well enough that it won't sag or fall down but it's not secure enough to put a horse in. We still need to figure out a small gate on the east side (thanks to the clay mishap) and go into town to pick up the boards for the small wood fence portion.

I'm hoping that by this coming weekend we'll be able to get the rest of the fence done. Dad said that opening day of pheasant hunting season is Oct 17th. I want those mares out of the old pasture and settled in to the new one before opening hunting day starts.

There's plenty of grass in the new pasture. I'm half tempted to throw the corral panels up and move the mares this week anyway. I would prefer to do a little bit more cleanup work before I put the mares in but if I get pushed for time I think I may move the mares anyway.

While we were at Tractor Supply on Saturday I picked up more fence post covers (and forgot to buy fence clips). So after everyone was on their way I went back down and put more fence post covers on the T-posts. I love seeing that line of fence posts with caps and fence wire all strung out just waiting for my mares.

The entire time we were pounding in fence posts, stringing wire, and grumbling about fencing in general, Dad was busily working away on the box stall. We could hear Dad pounding away but I didn't want to take a break to see how it was going while we were in our "fencing groove" so I didn't get to see the box stall until Dad was almost done.

I absolutely love the second box stall! It's going to come in handy! There's still a few things that need to be done (add a handle to the stall door, etc.) but at least the major portion of it is done. Dad was able to remove the auger and the old water trough too. So now both stalls are bigger. I still need to clean out the other box stall. Apparently mice have decided to store the mouse poison in the old box stall, so no horses in there until I can get it cleaned out. I sort of wish it was already cleaned out and the new stall was ready to go. It's been raining all day and Maverick and Zeke have been standing in mud/slop all day too.

I've decided that with all this rain I'm going to pull the mares and put them in the barn tonight. But with all the added rain, Maverick and Zeke's drylot is now a swamp. So I'm going to pull them out and put them in the barn. I don't want to run the risk of them getting thrush (since I've never dealt with that before). I'd rather give them a break from standing in mud. A nice, dry barn with secure footing is exactly the break they need for the night.

Putting those four horses in the barn will simply mean I have to get up earlier to do chores. I'd intended to switch my schedule to go in earlier (and leave earlier) but after hearing rain at 5:00 this morning I decided I'd sleep in a little longer. Now I'm kicking myself. I really want the mares in earlier in the afternoon/evening. I guess we'll see how fast I get rolling tomorrow and how long it takes me to get everyone situated in the morning.

I suppose there is always something going on at Borderlands!