Chores in the Dark

Let me just start off this post with one quick negative. I hate doing chores in the dark! Daylight savings time has made chore time a little less enjoyable. Ok, now that my grumbling is off my chest I'll continue. :-)

I decided yesterday to try and keep the horses on their normal morning routine (and I needed to go to work early). So the horses didn't think anything of my "early morning" routine. I've been pulling Maverick out of his swamplot so he gets a break from the mud. I feel bad for him but I have no where else to put him. I did have the forsight the night before to prepare for a late chore night last night. I'm glad I was half way prepared!

I had to run a few errands in town yesterday so I didn't get home until late, or what the horses would consider late. Before daylight savings time, the sun would set about 6:30pm. With the time change, the sun sets about 5:30pm and I was just leaving town at that time (and I still had a half hour drive home plus another 15 minutes of unloading groceries).

By the time I finally got home, it was dark. Luckily a full moon was out making my chores not so unbareable. I rushed home and started the drafts on their warm mash and then the mares on their warm mash.

Monday night was Sam's last treatment for ulcers. I have to call the vet today and see what I need to do for his cold. I gave him a dose of penicillan Saturday (under vet recommendation) and that seemed to clear up his runny nose. Unfortunately his runny nose was back last night. It wasn't as bad but I think I need to figure out a treatment plan with the vet. I'm expecting I'll have to take Sam in. He's lost over 100 pounds and can't afford to lose any more. I don't think it was the ulcers causing him to lose weight; I think it was this damn cold he can't seem to kick.

While the drafts were in eating, I threw out a bale of hay. Last week the main herd turned up their noses at the ditch hay. This week, by the time I let Bob and Sam out, the entire bale was gone! I figured that would be the case so I threw out another bale. The same thing happened last year where I had to start feeding hay the first of November. I'm afraid my pasture didn't hold out as well this year with more horses on it so I'm going to be forced to feed more hay sooner.

When I went to get that first bale of hay, I heard a noise in the hay shed. Normally I don't think twice about being in the hay shed but beings that it was pitch black and not having anyone but myself in the shed, the hairs on my arm raised up and I went on full alert. Actually, I bolted out of there and went to get the dogs. They never found anything but I felt better knowing I had the dogs with me in case something WAS back in there. It is varmit season.

When I went to feed the ponies last night I think Longhorn was overly hungry. Typically Tommy and Skippy whinny and let me know their disgust in having to wait for me. Apparently that attitude has rubbed off just a little on Longhorn. He doesn't do the full loud "heehaw" but he's getting louder. I doubled over laughing. I love to hear Longhorn talk!

No unusual stories for this morning. Most of the main herd was up in the leanto. I think they were expecting me to throw them yet another bale of hay. I know there's nothing left in the pasture but I wasnt' prepared yet to start doing morning chores for the big herd just yet. I had plenty of time this morning so I may start rethinking my morning routine. I need to figure out a way to fatten Sam up and fast.

I wont' be able to get home tonight until close to 5:30pm so I'm sure to do chores in the dark yet again. My only hope is that the rain holds off and I can use the moon to help me through my chores. Luckily I have lights in both the normal barn and in the hay barn. I guess it's time for me to change my work schedule so I can at least see everyone for five minutes before darkness sets in.